Press release
Minister Rabbitte welcomes guidance on resumption of disability day services
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD today welcomed the publication by the HSE of guidance to support the resumption of adult day services for people with a disability.
Minister Rabbitte said:
"I want to acknowledge the many challenges experienced by individuals and their families over this difficult time. Families across the country have had their routines upended due to the impact of COVID-19 but hopefully this will be the first step towards returning to some sense of normalcy.
"I am delighted that service users and their families will now have certainty that day services will gradually resume during the month of August. The guidance issued provides a strong framework for service providers, as well as the reassurance that they will be guided by public health advice.
"The safety and wellbeing of people with disabilities is my utmost priority during the resumption of services. The guidance also puts in place protocols and procedures to ensure that the staff of day services are supported to protect themselves and service users.
"I want to thank the HSE and the National Group for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services for their hard work in pulling together such comprehensive guidance to support disability service providers in reopening their services in a safe way that is in line with public health advice."
ENDS
There is a wide diversity of supports provided to the 18,500 adults attending day service in the 1,000 plus day service locations, and there will be a gradual resumption of day services throughout the month of August. Service providers will be in touch with all families and service users during the month of July to discuss the resumption of services.
The Guidance to support the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services is available at: www.hse.ie/newdirections.