Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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559. To ask the Minister for Health the areas the additional €31 million he announced in summer 2016 will be allocated to; if this allocation is being made; if it is a once-off increase in funding or if it will form part of an increase in the annual spend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34933/16]

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.

Of the additional €31m secured earlier this year, €28m is helping address existing financial pressures arising from on-going service improvement, including the costs incurred from compliance with national residential standards, services provided to meet the changing needs of people with disabilities and the provision of emergency residential places. The remaining €3m has been allocated to new initiatives, including the provision of additional services to meet the needs of school leavers with disabilities and emergency residential placements arising in 2016.

Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. The additional funding of €31m secured in 2016 has been incorporated into the base allocation for disability services in 2017, which will rise to over €1.654bn, 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 the specific allocation.

As this is a matter in the first instance for the HSE, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy.