James Lawless (Kildare North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I am aware of his ongoing advocacy for his constituency, especially the County Monaghan area. I know that this project is of great importance to him and the users of the service.

I will take this opportunity to state the Government’s commitment to supporting disabled people to live ordinary lives in ordinary places, even extraordinary lives at times, by helping to provide the services and supports that they need. This year, the Department was able to secure a significant uplift in the budget for disability services. For the first time, the budget will exceed €3 billion. In addition, €27 million has been secured for capital expenditure. That is an achievement that the Minister, Deputy Rabbitte, is very proud of. The Senator is working with her on this and is closely engaged on it. Capital investment is something he fought hard to achieve.

This increased capital funding for capital projects in disability services will be spent in line with the Government’s strategic plan for reform of the disability sector, as laid out in the disability action plan 2024 to 2026. Launched in December 2023, the disability action plan contains ambitious targets for service expansion as well as a route for making services more person-centred, in the spirit of the UNCRPD, through strategic innovation and policy reform. A senior and dedicated lead within the HSE is being appointed to drive growth in investment and delivery of disability capital projects. Good progress has been made in the meantime. Spend on disabilities capital is on profile at this stage in the year and is expected to be spent in full by year end.

As funding for individual capital projects is an operational matter for the HSE, it has advised the Department of the position regarding Errigal Truagh as follows. Errigal Truagh, a section 39 disability service provider in Monaghan, has submitted a number of business cases to HSE disability services in the Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan and Sligo area. The business cases received so far relate to the extension that Errigal Truagh is seeking to progress at its current location and for which capital funding is being sought, as I am sure the Senator is well aware, and the services Errigal Truagh advises it intends to operate from the new extension, if that is funded. As such, a number of the business cases received from Errigal Truagh relate to revenue funding requirements that also arise in respect of the proposed development. There are two aspects to this; the capital funding for the extension and the services that are to be provided at that extension. It is a twin-pronged plan.

HSE disability services continue to engage with Errigal Truagh with regard to these business cases. That is part of the capital approval process in place for these kind of projects. As the Senator will be aware, the Department sets out allocations at a broad service level. Precise allocations to individual organisations is a matter for the HSE. HSE management is involved at a detailed level with individual organisations. The Department has its criteria and its broad-brush allocations but it is a matter for the HSE to engage on particular projects. The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, holds capital project development in disability services as one of her key priorities. She is very keen to ensure that capital projects are delivered on time and on budget and that value for money is being achieved, so that projects such as the Errigal Truagh Special Needs project can provide valuable services for citizens, and provide more of them under the proposed plan.

Once again, I thank the Senator for raising this important issue and giving me an opportunity to give an update on it.