Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

What I will not do, in response to a sensitive and important question, is outline a date which the Government, in the process of dealing with a sensitive matter finds out it cannot deliver. We are committed to doing it. The Taoiseach, the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and I are emphasising our aim to do that. However, as the Deputy herself stated, it is not just in a referendum or by changing our Constitution or even just by ratification of this protocol that we can show the values and commitment we have to making a difference in supporting those with disabilities. That is why, in budget 2024 alone, a further €205 million was made available to support those with disabilities and to support the services we know need to be in place for them. It is the reason, for example, that disability and all the health services around it have been moved into a new Government Department to give it the focus it needs and deserves and to build on work that already has been done. It is the reason the Government now has an action plan to support those with disabilities to ensure the additional funding being made available in this and other budgets translates into improved supports and services. We are committed to doing that and in addition, to reaffirm what the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, and the Taoiseach already have said, in the months ahead we are committed to moving ahead with this protocol.

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