Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I could, on the one hand, say to the Deputy that there is a strong story to tell with the increase in funding that has been made available to disability in recent years.

We can point to how we have increased investment in the disability sector and in the social welfare payments which those who have a disability need. For all I could offer the Deputy in those figures, I also know he will be able to point to many cases where the services are not as we would want, and where families, while receiving payments, do need more.

On how we will deal with the issue, it will be how we always have to deal with it on budget day, which is I will look at the resources available. I will engage with the Ministers, Deputies O'Gorman and Humphreys, and we will do our best to prioritise funding for the disability sector and the income support that is available to those, whether they be carers or citizens who have a disability. That is what we do, and I can point to the fact that funding has gone up year after year.