The views documented in this report are relatively straightforward and self-explanatory. They represent the views of diverse stakeholders to two inter-related policy ideas that are being considered by the Department of Health and Children. The two ideas propose a movement away from segregated disability services towards the provision of individualised supports and mainstream services. For the most part, the participants in the 15 focus groups are in favour of the proposals and would welcome their implementation. Many of the participants responded positively to the greater choice and control over funding, which they associated with an individual funding mechanism, although some people queried the capacity and willingness of the Government to effectively deliver on this policy. They were also in favour of mainstreaming in principle, provided appropriate supports are provided which would enable people with disabilities access services they needed.
The on-going process of deliberation by the Department of Health and Children on the policy proposals means that specific recommendations are not warranted at this point. Rather it is envisaged that the many and diverse comments and questions raised by the stakeholders during the course of the consultation exercise will provide the Department of Health and Children with substantial information and ideas, which, together with other information at their disposal, should assist them with the content and promotion of the policies if and when they are implemented. Finally, it should be noted that the views documented in this report represent the opinions of stakeholders to two relatively tentative policy ideas encapsulated in two vignettes. Accordingly, further consultation is recommended when the policy ideas are more firmly fixed by the Department of Health and Children.