❓ Opposition asks about the Barnett government's plan to reduce 500 FTE positions within the Disability Services Commission, focusing on timelines, transfers, funding, and impacts on non-government organisations. The Minister's response indicates a gradual transition with consultation, redeployment options, and funding tied to individual needs rather than staff positions.
AnsweredQoN 605Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DISABILITY SERVICES COMMISSION — FULL-TIME
EQUIVALENTS — REDUCTION
605. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the Minister
for Disability Services:
I
refer to the Barnett government's announcement last week of a restructure
of disability accommodation services that will result in a reduction of
approximately 500 full-time equivalent positions within the Disability Services
Commission.
(1) What is the
proposed time line for the reduction in the 500 FTE positions?
(2) Will all the
500 FTE positions be transferred to non-government and not-for-profit
organisations?
(3) Will the
minister confirm the estimated dollar amount attached to these 500 FTE
positions?
(4) Will the full
funding amount attached to these positions be transferred to non-government and
not-for-profit organisations?
(5) If no to (4),
what finding is earmarked for non-government and not-for-profit organisations;
and what will happen to the remaining funds?
EQUIVALENTS — REDUCTION
605. Hon STEPHEN DAWSON to the Minister
for Disability Services:
I
refer to the Barnett government's announcement last week of a restructure
of disability accommodation services that will result in a reduction of
approximately 500 full-time equivalent positions within the Disability Services
Commission.
(1) What is the
proposed time line for the reduction in the 500 FTE positions?
(2) Will all the
500 FTE positions be transferred to non-government and not-for-profit
organisations?
(3) Will the
minister confirm the estimated dollar amount attached to these 500 FTE
positions?
(4) Will the full
funding amount attached to these positions be transferred to non-government and
not-for-profit organisations?
(5) If no to (4),
what finding is earmarked for non-government and not-for-profit organisations;
and what will happen to the remaining funds?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
member for some notice of this question.
(1) Consultation
with people with disability, families and carers will commence in January 2014.
This is the start of a gradual transition that will take place over a number of
years with no immediate impact on staff or residents. Exact numbers of staff
affected and the time frame will not be known until after those consultations
are complete. As the member is probably aware, residents and families were
contacted by mail indicating that these consultations will commence in that
time frame, so people are being provided with information on a gradual basis.
(2) None of the
staff will be transferred to alternative organisations. Staff who are affected
will be offered redeployment and retraining where possible. It is anticipated that
the number of staff who will not be able to be redeployed or retrained is very
small. Disability services is a growing sector, with many job opportunities
created each year. Non-government service provider organisations are
responsible for recruiting their own staff. It is anticipated that skilled and
experienced staff currently employed by the commission will be highly sought
after by service providers. A number of staff may choose to apply for these
positions.
(3) That
information is not yet known. It is dependent upon consultation with people
with disability, families and carers about their individual preferences for
services into the future. Consultation will commence, as I mentioned, in
January 2014 and the exact number of staff affected and the time frame will not
be known until after those consultations are complete.
(4) Funding
for services is not attached to staff positions. Funding is provided for people
with disability. Eligible people receive funding for reasonable and necessary
accommodation services. They then choose their service provider, which is then
contracted by government to deliver these services.
(5) Not
applicable.
member for some notice of this question.
(1) Consultation
with people with disability, families and carers will commence in January 2014.
This is the start of a gradual transition that will take place over a number of
years with no immediate impact on staff or residents. Exact numbers of staff
affected and the time frame will not be known until after those consultations
are complete. As the member is probably aware, residents and families were
contacted by mail indicating that these consultations will commence in that
time frame, so people are being provided with information on a gradual basis.
(2) None of the
staff will be transferred to alternative organisations. Staff who are affected
will be offered redeployment and retraining where possible. It is anticipated that
the number of staff who will not be able to be redeployed or retrained is very
small. Disability services is a growing sector, with many job opportunities
created each year. Non-government service provider organisations are
responsible for recruiting their own staff. It is anticipated that skilled and
experienced staff currently employed by the commission will be highly sought
after by service providers. A number of staff may choose to apply for these
positions.
(3) That
information is not yet known. It is dependent upon consultation with people
with disability, families and carers about their individual preferences for
services into the future. Consultation will commence, as I mentioned, in
January 2014 and the exact number of staff affected and the time frame will not
be known until after those consultations are complete.
(4) Funding
for services is not attached to staff positions. Funding is provided for people
with disability. Eligible people receive funding for reasonable and necessary
accommodation services. They then choose their service provider, which is then
contracted by government to deliver these services.
(5) Not
applicable.
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