Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1884. To ask the Minister for Health the estimated cost in a full year of eliminating deficits in section 38 organisations and section 39 organisations, respectively. [35700/21]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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2609. To ask the Minister for Health the cost in a full year of eliminating deficits in section 38 and 39 organisations. [38361/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1884 and 2609 together.

The National Service Plan 2021 reaffirms the HSE’s commitment to continuing the reform of disability services in line with the Transforming Lives Programme. This includes working towards the financial and operational sustainability of the disability sector.

The HSE continues to support disability providers funded under Section 38 and 39 of the Health Act 2004 to ensure continuity of service provision against the background of the ongoing public health emergency. An additional €100 million in new funding has been allocated this year to enhance services and supports for people with disabilities, which will increase the budget for specialist disability services to over €2.2 billion in 2021.

My Department is aware that some Section 38 and 39 disability organisations have reported financial challenges, including the accrual of deficits. It should be noted that these providers have independent boards which govern the organisations concerned.The State is not liable for expenditure incurred through decisions taken by self-governing organisations and therefore these deficits are the responsibility of the organisations themselves.

Organisations with specific financial challenges are encouraged to engage with the HSE at a local level in the context of their service arrangements.