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

I am delighted to have the opportunity to answer this question. I will break it down as quickly as I can. The first €50 million is for the existing level of services. Another €55 million is for new developments. These new developments will be made up of a suite measures in different areas. I want to talk about therapy posts and administrative work. Approximately €9 million has been left aside for that. That is, by and large, for therapy posts and administrative work. It seeks to ensure we can add to each of the 91 network disability teams. I am hearing on the ground that they are short of administrative staff and that we have therapists doing administrative work. That is why I want to leave that flexibility.

The other area of significant funding is for the 1,700 school-leavers. That is part of the transition planning for young people. This year I also introduced a deferral option for young people, so they have that choice. The other additional funding of more than €5 million is for under-65s in nursing homes. It is the first time ever we have had a line in the budget for this. Some €18 million was allocated for this last year.

This year, I have allocated four times that amount at €72 million. This will build up capacity and allow us to do more. Independent living provides an opportunity to return people home or have an independent living space.

While I might be proud of all of the budget, the one part I am especially proud of has to do with personal assistant, PA, hours. This was essential. I made a commitment that we would deliver in this regard, and we have delivered more than 3 million hours. In the budget last year, that number fell far short at 660,000.

Regarding residential respite, €9 million is being allocated to respite houses. The ambition is to have nine child respite houses and nine adult respite houses.

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