Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the committee about expenditure for disability services and the important work it is funding. The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs. Our ultimate aim is to provide supports and services that will allow people with disabilities to live ordinary lives in ordinary places, in line with commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD. The Government took the landmark decision last week to accede to the optional protocol to the UNCRPD. Our commitment to progressively realising the full potential of the convention in Ireland is steadfast. The allocation for disability services, which will bring the annual allocation beyond €3 billion for the first time and represents an increase of nearly 60% over budget 2020, in budget 2025 will be a significant step in that direction. The provision of disability services is demand led and therefore can be more challenging to plan for with precision.

We know that costs have been increasing in recent years across all sectors. Disability services providers have felt those cost pressures too. However, it is of utmost importance that the management of public moneys be subject to the strictest scrutiny, so that we can balance our twin objectives of providing services for citizens with disabilities, as well as spending prudently and efficiently. The extra funding of €162.4 million sought in these Supplementary Estimates will go towards meeting cost pressures associated with delivery of services this year. It will also provide for cost-of-living double-week payments for recipients of disability-related allowances managed through the HSE. We are exceeding targets in some areas of service delivery in 2024, particularly in residential services and intensive home support. The associated funding provided will meet the costs associated with this additional level of service. There is also funding required to help our service providers meet the increased cost of service provision in 2024, including where the needs of service users have changed.

I welcome the opportunity to reiterate that the priority for this Government for 2025 will be the enhancement of person-centred supports and services, supporting the progressive roll-out of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, and implementing the roadmap for children’s disability services. In recent years, significant resources have been invested in disability services. This is reflected in the budget for disability services, which has increased by €1.2 billion since 2020 to €3.2 billion in 2025. As I noted earlier, this is the first time the disability budget has surpassed €3 billion. The additional funding allocation of €336 million for 2025 represents an increase of 12% for disability services and demonstrates the Government’s strong commitment to building capacity in this area.

Though the extra funding in budget 2025 is welcome, we know there is more to do, which is why we published a comprehensive action plan to help improve and expand services out to 2026. We are nearing the end of year one of the plan and good progress is evident in many areas, as well as clear indications of substantial enabling work required to help achieve its aims. This action plan, it must be noted, is a living document, which may be periodically reviewed and updated in light of progress or challenges that need to be addressed. This means we intend to remain flexible and agile as we respond to emerging issues and trends, but always maintain our focus on improving services for disabled people and making services more person centred and community based. I thank the committee once again for the opportunity to discuss these important issues today.