Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The budget for disability for next year, which has been transferred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, is €2.8 billion. It has been increased from €1.7 billion in 2017 so there has been a massive increase in budget in recent years. Of the €2.8 billion, €131 million will be allocated to ensure the full-year cost of additional services provided this year will be met and a further €64 million will be provided for new developments. The capital budget is also being increased by €23.7 million. There has been a considerable increase in the budget, on top of years of increases. The Department and the HSE will now engage with individual bodies to see how the money can best be spent. It is the case every year that no matter how much is allocated to any Department or agency, they would like the allocation to be higher and I understand that.

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