Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy again for raising this important issue. I fully appreciate what she has said about the recruitment and retention of staff. Staff in this area are vital because they provide the necessary resources and support that people like Kaitlin and her family need, and that is why the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is committed to sustainable service delivery for the benefit of those who rely on essential services and the workers who are committed to providing a service of the high level in question.

The necessary additional funding has been provided and the HSE is working to make it available to employer organisations as efficiently as possible. Progress has been made in this regard. Once individual organisations have submitted the necessary information to the HSE, it is validated and processed to facilitate the release of the full amount of funding to them. Dedicated supports, including external administrative resources and an online portal, are now in place to support organisations in submitting the necessary information. The HSE is now making payments weekly and the remaining employer organisations are encouraged to submit the required information to the HSE as soon as possible.

The Government has demonstrated its continuing commitment to people with disabilities, with a record €2.9 billion provided in 2024. This includes significant additional funding to help increase service capacity and support providers to deliver more for people with disabilities right across the country. The Minister has acknowledged there is more to do in this area. Following the conclusion of the new public sector pay deal, officials will participate in further discussions with the WRC next month.

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