The PFRON program was supposed to help the disabled. Few are benefiting. RPO awaits clarification

The idea was that the program would make it so that people with disabilities would not have to bear the cost of purchasing equipment, and would use the money saved for other purposes. However, doubts have been raised against the PFRON program. The Ombudsman addressed the government's Plenipotentiary for Persons with Disabilities, Pawel Wdowik, on the issue.

There were reports in the media about the questionable way the program was organized. It was pointed out that the Government's Strategic Reserve Agency made purchases without consulting representatives of social organizations and manufacturers, and that the entities approached by the Agency were given a short deadline of 8 days to deliver the equipment. In addition, the proceedings are to be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Law on Protection of Classified Information. The media also reported that the list of purchased equipment is not known.

On Feb. 7, 2023, during a meeting of the parliamentary committees on health and social policy, the Plenipotentiary reported that - together with the chairwoman of the National Consultative Council under him - he had created a list of experts who had commented on the equipment that should be loaned. He also asked the Prime Minister to issue a decision on the establishment of a strategic reserve in the form of rehabilitation equipment, medical devices and assistive technologies, through formal and unclassified correspondence. In view of the approval, the Government Strategic Reserve Agency proceeded with purchases. 

A representative of the Agency explained that the inability to answer all questions from MPs is dictated by formal considerations. She stressed that the reserves are created in an emergency, urgent mode and dictated by special circumstances. The agency received a decision in a restricted mode, which determined the subsequent course of action, i.e. conducting purchases without being able to disclose details and directing inquiries to a narrow group of entrepreneurs (who process classified information).

It follows that the objectionable public lack of transparency was caused by the decision to consider the purchase of equipment for people with disabilities as a form of strategic reserve. According to the law, they are created in case of, among other things, a threat to state security and defense, public health and the occurrence of a natural disaster or emergency, or to save the lives and health of citizens. It seems that the purchase of an assortment of items to improve the quality of life and financial situation of people with disabilities does not fall within these purposes.

According to information obtained by the Ombudsman, the Agency was given a targeted grant of PLN 200 million for tasks supporting the rehabilitation of people with disabilities, which was to be used by November 30, 2022, and which was used to purchase equipment in the amount of PLN 100 million.

Deputy ROP Valeri Vachev is seeking clarification from the Plenipotentiary, in particular, why the purchase of rehabilitation equipment was considered a form of strategic reserve and a request was made to the Prime Minister to issue a decision on the establishment of a strategic reserve in the form of rehabilitation equipment, medical devices and assistive technologies.

In addition, he asks what equipment was included in the list, who participated in its creation, and whether the compiled catalog is reflected in purchases. He also asks for clarification as to why representatives of community organizations, particularly people with disabilities, and manufacturers were not included in the consultation process, and for what purpose the remainder of the grant was used, where the equipment is currently located, whether it is being used, and whether the assumed beneficiaries can request to use it.

Another letter from ZRPO

ZRPO Valeri Vachev stresses that so far he has not received a response to his speech.

In addition, he points out that the RPO continues to receive information about the operation of rental shops, which include the quality of the equipment or the inadequacy of the offer to meet market needs (e.g., a small number of rehabilitation beds). This translates into a small number of people interested in using this solution. On the other hand, media reports indicate that further purchases of equipment are planned - also with very short lead times, the object of which would be mainly wheelchairs.

September 5, 2023. The President of PFRON announced the establishment of a consultative and advisory body. Its task is to, among other things, develop a list of assistive technologies and update it, take into account the needs of people with disabilities in the list, based on data from the Application Service System, or recommend the list of assistive technologies to PFRON.

In the Ombudsman's opinion, the establishment of such a team and basing further equipment purchases on its recommendations may rekindle the belief among people with disabilities that the purchase of specific technologies is justified by the knowledge and experience of experts. After all, it should not be forgotten that the modus operandi adopted in organizing the rental service, as well as the involvement of the Government Strategic Reserve Agency, which forced the first purchases to be made in secret, caused a great deal of public distrust in this legitimate endeavor. Therefore, in the Ombudsman's opinion, decisive steps should be taken to appoint members of the team and begin its work.

Valeri Vachev is asking for complementary clarifications, including how many requests for rental equipment have been made so far and how they have been handled. He also asks for an indication of what equipment or technology is most in demand. In addition, he asks when and in what composition the assistive technology team will be established.

The Ombudsman has stillnot received a response on this issue. In turn, the Ombudsman continues to receive information about, among other things, the quality of the equipment rented or the inadequacy of the offer to meet market needs (e.g., a small number of rehabilitation beds). This translates into a small number of those interested in taking advantage of this solution.

Source: RPO