merrion street

Minister of State for Disabilities, Finian McGrath TD, today appointed Mr Christy Lynch, Chief Executive Officer, KARE, to head the Task Force on Personalised Budgets.
The Task Force will have two components – a Strategy Group and an Advisory & Consultative Group – which together will form the Task Force. Mr. Lynch will chair the Strategy Group as well as the overall Task Force. Ms. Siobhan Barron, Chief Executive Officer, National Disability Authority, will chair the Advisory & Consultative Group.
The Task Force’s remit will be to make recommendations on a personalised budgets model which will give people with disabilities more control in accessing health-funded personal social services, giving them greater independence and choice in accessing services which best meet their individual needs.
In welcoming Mr. Lynch’s appointment, the Minister said, “One of the key aims of the Government is to provide services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide them with greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. The establishment of a Task Force on Personalised Budgets is a key element in progressing this aim. Personalised budgets will transfer control back to where it rightfully belongs - the individual with a disability - and will give individuals the freedom to source the services and supports which best meet their needs."
“Christy is highly respected in the disability sector and has played a significant role in the development of disability policy in Ireland. His pioneering work on promoting equal employment opportunities for people with disabilities is recognised both in this country and internationally,” said the Minister. “I am also delighted that Siobhan Barron has agreed to Chair the Advisory & Consultative Group, which in my opinion will be pivotal to the work of the Task Force by giving a voice to those with lived experience of disability.”
The process of appointing members to the Strategy Group and an Advisory & Consultative Group will start immediately, and the first meeting of the Task Force will be arranged as soon as practicable.