The Ministry of Health spent nearly $60,000 last year to evaluate a scheme that allows disabled people to employ their own carer; but is yet to release the results.
Private company Synergia Ltd received $59,980 (excluding GST) to evaluate how individualised funding had performed since expanding in 2010, information released to the Otago Daily Times under the Official Information Act shows.
The contract was completed in August last year.
The ODT requested a copy of the evaluation in March and was told it would be available in the "near future", but it was not provided.
Last week, the ministry said it hoped to provide the report early next month.
New Zealand Home Health Association chief executive Julie Haggie said a "rocketing increase" in its use meant individualised funding must be carefully monitored.
Allowing disabled people to be employers greatly increased independence and autonomy, which could be very positive in the right situation.
However, in extreme cases, employees risked becoming "servants" or "indentured labour", because of the lack of workplace support. In less extreme cases, workers could feel isolated or lack professional development opportunities.
Robust evidence was necessary to support the increase in funding for the scheme, Ms Haggie said.
Last year, a woman who declined to be named told the ODT she left her job because she felt unsafe caring for an autistic man. Paid through individualised funding, she lacked basic worker support, the woman said.
Figures provided to the ODT last year showed individualised funding increased from $5.9 million in 2008-09 to $8.7 million in 2009-10 and $15.2 million in 2010-11.
In the May Budget, the Government announced a further ramping-up of the scheme, with an extra $9.4 million over four years, giving the disabled more "choice and control".
The ODT requested details of Synergia Ltd contracts over the past three financial years, which totalled $821,122 for 17 contracts.
The most expensive was an aged-care workforce service review in 2010-11, costing $170,000. Other contracts included work to inform the discussion by the Welfare Working Group ($30,000); evaluation of a disabilities equipment and modification services prioritisation tool pilot ($99,900); and a mental health workforce service review ($115,000).
Figures excluded GST.
Six contracts were for National Health Board business unit Health Workforce New Zealand, and the rest for business units within the ministry.
