Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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248. To ask the Minister for Health the timeline he is working to for the transfer of the disability budget to the Department of Children, Disability, Equality and Integration; the overall budget that is being transferred; the specific changes in the amounts allocated to each affected subhead of the Government estimates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29201/20]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Following the Government's announcement in June regarding the establishment of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability and Integration, arrangements are underway for the transfer of disability services to the new Department.

There are a number of factors to be taken into consideration in planning for this transfer of functions. Given the scale of the functions being transferred and the significant budget involved (c. €2bn in 2020), there are multiple financial, HR, policy, legal and governance workstreams underway within my Department to sequence the range of tasks necessary to effectively complete the transfer of responsibility between both Departments, which will include drafting and enactment of primary legislation necessary to underpin the transfer of functions.

Both Departments are engaged in regular meetings to provide effective oversight and co-ordination of the various tasks involved in the transfer of policy and budgetary responsibility. Significant work has already been undertaken to progress this complex task and a transfer date in Q1 2021 is being targeted for completion.