Tom Clonan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Mention has been made of the budget of €3.2 billion. The committee had a presentation from the Australian National Disability Insurance Scheme. Australia has a population of 22 million and it spends A$22 billion on disability. When we covert Australian dollars into euro, they are probably spending the equivalent of €4 billion per annum in Ireland. Every disabled citizen in Australia gets not just one assessment of need but an assessment every 18 months, in particular during the adolescent years or as their condition changes. They get a repeated assessment of need and personalised budgets. It is not perfect by any means but their needs are met and they can live independently and autonomously.

Does the Minister of State think we are getting value for money for the spend of €3.2 billion, given all of those sub-optimal outcomes for disabled citizens in Ireland?