The Government has announced an independent review into the disability support system funded by the under-fire Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha.
New Disability Issues Minister Louise Upston said the review will look at what can be done to strengthen the long-term sustainability of the services to provide disabled people and carers with certainty around what they can access.
The Ministry now funds services for approximately 50,000 disabled people and equipment modification for approximately 100,000 people, administering an annual appropriation of $2.3 billion.
The Ministry had previously announced rule changes to funding for equipment, modification support and services due to financial pressure, which saw Whaikaha's chief executive apologise for the stress caused to the disabled community due to how the announcement was handled.
More recently, former Minister for Disability Issues Penny Simmonds was stripped of her portfolio.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon, who cited "major financial issues with programmes run by the Ministry of Disabled People", said he now wanted a senior minister in the portfolio.
Upston said since coming into office the Government had received "worrying advice about the risks inherited by the ministry when it was set up less than two years ago, and whether it was adequately equipped to manage them".
"We all want to see the best outcomes for the disabled community, their families, and those who care for them, and the coalition Government is focused on maximising this support.
"A three-person review panel will be appointed within the next few weeks and will be expected to make recommendations within four months of that date. I will then consider those recommendations and report back to Cabinet on next steps. The community will be consulted on the review's findings."
She said the review will be funded through the ministry's existing budgets.
"The Government is focused on delivering better public services that improve the lives of all Kiwis. This review will help give disabled people, their families, and carers certainty around the choices they have for how they lead a good life."
The review will look at:
- The purpose of different funding streams within Disability Support Services and the appropriate level of flexibility for each.
- Eligibility for Disability Support Services, with a focus on entitlement to and allocation of funding.
- The capability and processes that need to be in place within the Ministry of Disabled People – Whaikaha to manage Disability Support Services, including for risk management, commissioning, and organisational form and structure.
- Interactions between Disability Support Services and other systems (including health, welfare, and education).
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- The legal framework for Disability Support Services.
- Stakeholder relationships.
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