From Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
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Minister of State for Disabilities, Anne Rabbitte, today announced that the option for young people leaving school to defer a specialist disability day service has been extended by the HSE from 3 years to 5 years.
The deferral process allows school leavers an opportunity to access mainstream options, such as further education and training or employment, with the knowledge that they can still avail of a HSE funded place in a disability day service within a five year period of leaving school or Rehabilitative Training. This extended deferral is available to all young people due to leave school or rehabilitative training in 2024, and people who are currently deferred.
Minister Rabbitte said:
“The transition from school to adult life can be an exciting and daunting time for anyone. The deferral process affords school leavers and their families the reassurance that they can take their time to explore the full breadth of avenues available to them, while maintaining the security that a specialist day service placement will be available should they choose to avail of it in future.”
Since the scheme was first trialled in 2020:
• 448 young people have chosen to defer their acceptance of a day service in pursuit of other pathways;
• 31 people have returned to commence a disability day service;
• 368 people continue to defer their placement.
“We can see in the data that this is having such a positive impact on people, giving them the choice in how to move forward in their lives. Since 2020, several hundred people with disabilities have chosen to defer their placement in pursuit of other options, such as in employment and education. It’s made a real difference to people’s lives and it’s wonderful to see.”
The deferral process was outlined as an action within the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities, 2015-2024. This process also supports the right of people with disabilities to seek employment, as outlined under Article 27 of the UNCRPD.