Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I thank all of our Senators who have contributed today, in particular Senator Clonan for bringing forward this Bill forward. It is great to hear that his son Eoghan is in the House. I am sure it is an important day for him. I reassure Senator Flynn that I dropped into that event the Ceann Comhairle is hosting today for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is a really good initiative.

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the House to reassure its Members that this Government is fully committed to people with disabilities and their families. I, of course, acknowledge that there are really important challenges that we must address if disability services in this country are to fully meet the needs and expectations of those at the heart of the service to enable them optimise their potential and to be able to live their lives as they deserve. This Government supports the intent of the Bill and has chosen not to oppose it on that basis. I must, however, point out that there are significant challenges in the reality of the fact that the State has limited resources.

As Senator Tully said earlier, I spent a number of years with her and other Members of this House and the Dáil as a member of the Committee on Disability Matters. I am delighted to have the opportunity to attend here today in my new role as Minister of State with responsibility for disability. I look forward to continuing the work of my predecessor, the Minister of State, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, in what is a really important area. The Government has clearly signalled its intent to support disabled people. This can be seen across a number of areas.

Senator Stephenson referenced the recent budget. Budget 2026 saw a record €3.8 billion allocated for HSE disability services. This represents €618 million extra, or a 20% uplift, in current funding on 2025. It follows significant year-on-year increases in recent years and an overall increase of €1.85 billion, or 91%, since 2020.

Notwithstanding that significant investment, all of us know of the frustrations that individuals and families experience when it comes to accessing the services they need. Over the last week, since my appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for disability, I have been out in communities meeting people with disabilities, their families, carers, the volunteers supporting them and getting a clear sense of the barriers people are facing every single day. I look forward to continuing that work over the coming weeks and months ahead. I have also had the opportunity over the past week to meet with some of the dedicated professionals delivering those much-needed services through section 38 and 39 organisations, the HSE and also through my committed officials in the Department who I know are driving policies that will improve access to services.

I want to be clear in saying to Members that the Government is listening to families and is working towards further significant investment and reform in the months ahead. That is part of a radical transformation programme across disability services. While not opposing this Bill, at this stage, I firmly believe that our focus must be on continuing to implement a programme of operational, policy and legislative reforms which will improve access to therapies and services for children with disabilities. I think that is a goal we all share and I really look forward to working with Members to make that happen.