Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ryan for his support. I know from working with him on the northside of Dublin that he is very much involved with disability issues and with supporting the families of children with disabilities. I also apologise to Deputy Ryan for the delay. There are times when it gets very frustrating. Before giving detailed answers to the questions, I would like to say that significant progress has been made. The draft memorandum on the general scheme of the Bill was circulated on eCabinet to Departments in the middle of December 2016, and the intention was that this matter would be on the agenda of a Cabinet meeting by the end of January 2017. Observations at official level were received from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform last February raising concerns over resource implications. This ties up with earlier comments made here today. The allocation of resources has been the subject of discussion in the 2018 Estimates process, both with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and at ministerial level. The Bill is on the Government's list of priority legislation for publication in the autumn session, and the Department of Health is awaiting the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in order that a memo on the draft general scheme can be submitted to the Cabinet. This is exactly where we are with this and that is the straight answer to Deputy Ryan's question. We are waiting for the approval of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in order that the memo can come to Government and the general scheme can be submitted to Cabinet. As soon as we get the disability social care plan sorted out over the next few weeks, I will make direct contact with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and with the Minister, Deputy Donohoe. I cannot give the Deputy deadlines or timelines because discussions are ongoing.