Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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224. To ask the Minister for Health the number of additional staff including medical staff, carers and therapists who will be employed with the additional €61 million secured for the 2017 disability budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31261/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Government currently provides funding of €1.56 billion to the Disability Services Programme. Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. Including the additional funding of €31 million secured earlier this year, the allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654 billion in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.

The quantum of service to be provided will be outlined in the Health Service Executive's National Service Plan for 2017, which is currently being prepared by the Executive. Pending agreement of the National Service Plan, I am not in a position to comment on additional staffing levels to be provided in 2017. As this is a matter in the first instance for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.