Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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336. To ask the Minister for Health if disability functions will be transferred to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if so, the timeline for same. [43962/20]

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.

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. While significant progress has already made in advancing the transfer, work to-date has emphasised the complexity and interconnected nature of the service and financial arrangements currently in place. In addition to progressing the above workstreams, the drafting and enactment of primary legislation will be central to underpin and complete the timely transfer of policy and financial responsibility to the new Department. Taking account of all of these factors it is now considered that the first half of 2021 represents the most feasible timeframe for completion of all components needed to achieve the transfer of disability services to the new Department.