David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein)
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665. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost to increase funding to the National Advocacy Service for persons with disabilities by 10%. [41772/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities (NAS) provides an independent, confidential and free issues-based representative advocacy service that works exclusively for the person using the service. The NAS adheres to professional standards and it has a particular remit for people with disabilities who are isolated from their community and services, have communication differences, are inappropriately accommodated, live in residential services, attend day services or have limited informal or natural supports.

The Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory body under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, provides funding and support to NAS, which has a mandate under the Citizens Information Act 2007 to provide advocacy for people with disabilities.

The estimate detailed above is based on an assumption of no additional range of services provided by NAS. Figures provided do not include the Patient Advocacy Service, which is funded by the Department of Health.