Our Service

Supporting Independence, Choice and Inclusion

Our Personal Assistance Service supports adults aged 18 to 65 who have a primary physical or sensory disability to live as independently as possible at home and in their community.

We provide person-centred support tailored to each individual’s needs, goals and preferences. Our Personal Assistants (PAs) work alongside the person, helping them manage daily activities while promoting independence, confidence and choice.

The role of a Personal Assistant is not to take over, but to enable and support the person to live the life they choose.

Support can range from a few hours each week for specific activities through to more intensive arrangements, depending on assessed need and available resources. Every service is planned in partnership with the individual to ensure support is safe, appropriate and meaningful.

 

Practical Support at Home and in the Community

Our service helps people maintain their independence, wellbeing and quality of life while continuing to live in their own homes and communities.

Support is flexible and tailored to individual circumstances and may include assistance with daily living activities, community participation and other person-centred supports agreed through the assessment process.

Personal Assistant supports are designed around the person’s individual needs and goals and may include:

Personal Care

• Assistance with washing, dressing and grooming
• Support with daily routines and personal wellbeing

Support at Home

• Help with meal preparation and cooking
• Assistance with laundry and light household tasks
• Support to maintain a safe and comfortable home environment

Community Participation

• Attending appointments
• Shopping and accessing local services
• Support with work, education or training opportunities

Social and Recreational Activities

• Taking part in hobbies and interests
• Meeting friends and family
• Participating in community events and social activities

Staying Connected

• Supporting individuals to be active members of their community
• Encouraging independence, choice and social inclusion

 

Our Personal Assistance Service helps people to:

• Maintain independence and control over their daily lives
• Build confidence and develop new opportunities
• Participate more fully in family, social and community life
• Access education, employment and recreational activities
• Achieve personal goals while remaining at home and within their community

How Services Begin

Access to the Personal Assistance Service is primarily through referral by the Health Service Executive (HSE).

Referrals may be made by:

• General Practitioners (GPs)
• Public Health Nurses (PHNs)
• Occupational Therapists (OTs)
• Hospitals and other healthcare professionals

Once a referral is received, NTDSS will assess the individual’s support needs and develop a person-centred support plan. The HSE remains responsible for funding allocations, approvals, prioritisation and waiting list management.

Service Availability

Approved services may take time to commence where suitable staff are not immediately available. This can be particularly challenging in rural areas or where specific skills, experience or availability are required.

However, we work continuously to recruit and retain dedicated staff so that services can commence as quickly as possible.

At NTDSS, we believe that every person should have the opportunity to live with dignity, independence and choice. Our Personal Assistance Service is designed to empower people to participate fully in everyday life while receiving the support they need to achieve their goals and aspirations.

This version is more engaging for website visitors, focuses on outcomes and independence, and is written in a style commonly used by disability service providers.