Limerick CIL

West Limerick Independent Living

How PA Services work

Essentially a PA service is a service for persons with significant disability who need assistance in aspects of daily living, at home, travelling, at work, college or socially. The individual first identifies what their needs are, whether by self-assessment, or often where they have not been in a position to make decisions about their own lives heretofore, facilitated assessment. The identified need then determines the level of service required (i.e. number of hours and how many PA's each person needs) to enable a individual to achieve independent living.

Following assessment the individual (sometimes known as a Leader) is approved for an agreed number of PA hours per week. The service is funded through the Health Services Executive (HSE) in different areas of the country, and is currently administered through a number of service providers, e.g. West Limerick Independent Living and other CILs, Enable Ireland, Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA). The Leader has a contract with one of these providers and following training they either recruit Personal Assistants directly, or in conjunction with the service provider. The leader provides most of the training, while the service provider provides essential health, hygiene and safety training. Fundamental to the achievement of independent living for each person is the support to allow them to manage their own service with support and training where identified. Although the PA is employed by the service provider, the leader is the PA's line manager, determining the work to be done and the hours of duty. The leader then submits timesheets to the service provider in order for the PA to be paid. Accessing PA Services

An alternative to the service provider administered PA service is a direct payments system where the Leader becomes the direct employer and invoices the service provider/funding agency. This facilitates the Leader having complete control of their service. However, it also places a higher administrative and legal obligation on the Leader. This version of service is available in many other countries but is not available in Ireland yet.

History of PA Services in Ireland

It was recognised that in practical terms, Personal Assistance was at the core of Independent Living (IL), and the early days were greatly concerned with creating a consumer-controlled Personal Assistance (PA) service. A Personal Assistant (PA) is someone who provides a person with a disability (referred to as a 'Leader') with physical assistance to help them in all aspects of daily life from personal care, household tasks, assistance in college or the workplace, driving and interpretation. The PA works to their employer's - the Leader's - agenda. Their role is to assist, not to provide care for or tell the Leader what is best for them. PA services enable the Leader to make their own decisions and be in control of their own life, opening up opportunities in education, employment, socially etc. For information on working as a Personal Assistant click on Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Personal Assistant Work Leaflet.

Today there are 23 Centres for Independent Living (CILs) nationwide, all operated by people with disabilities at a local level, and mostly companies limited by guarantee. They still have a vital advocacy role in representing members and supporting them with their integration into the mainstream living. For many CILs however, the flagship of their company is its PA services. CILs fund these services largely through Health Services Executive (HSE) funding, and to a lesser extent, Community Employment (CE) schemes. Some CILs have developed into significant PA service providers in their county.