Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

Budget 2022 builds on €100m funding allocated in 2021 to enhance specialist disability services. The 2022 package totals an additional €115m.

In 2021 Funding of €3m was allocated in National Service Plan 21 (NSP21) to support 18 people with disabilities under the age of 65 to transition from nursing homes to more suitable placements in the community. Each CHO has been engaging with individuals, some of whom are supported by the National Advocacy Service, to discuss and plan for a transition to the community. Fourteen people have now transitioned, and each CHO is confident of delivering on the target by year end.

Funding of €4.2m was allocated in NSP 21 to support the transition of 144 people from congregated settings to homes in the Community in 2021. By the end of Q3 a total of 79 people transitioned from congregated settings. A significant number of people are expected to transition by end Quarter 4.

The level of funding available and the quantum of services to be provided by the HSE in 2022 will be considered as part and National Service Planning process which we expect to conclude in the coming weeks. The funding referenced by the Deputy is core funding, it recurs every year. Public financial procedures do not allow for unspent funding to be accrued and rolled over to the following year.