Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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251. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will introduce legislation to guarantee the right to a personal assistance service; if he will significantly increase the budget for personal assistance hours per annum going forward; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36799/22]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government commits to the development of an implementation plan to co-ordinate implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

While there are no plans for additional legislation governing the rights, entitlements and operations associated with the PA service at this time, consideration will be given when developing and implementing the UNCRPD implementation plan to cross-government actions aimed at ensuring that people with disabilities have access to the support services they require to participate in their community.

The Minister of Health holds budgetary responsibility for Personal Assistance hours, and that Department would be best placed to respond on the issue of budgetary resourcing. As Minister, I am committed to progressing disability supports in every way possible.