Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
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2120. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the transfer of the disability portfolio from his Department to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if it will be clearly allocated for the Budget 2022 process. [29838/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Following the Government's announcement 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. €2.2bn in 2021), there are multiple financial, HR, policy, legal and governance workstreams underway within the Department of Health to sequence the range of tasks necessary to effectively complete the transfer of responsibility between both Departments.

Both departments have worked together 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 been made in advancing the transfer, work to-date has emphasised the complexity and interconnected nature of the service and financial arrangements currently in place. While it was hoped to complete the transfer by midyear, the size and complexity of the work means that the required legislation and revised governance arrangements will be not be in place until later this year.

Preparations for Budget 2022 are being carefully considered and both departments are working closely together, with the Department of Health leading on the process.