Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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709. To ask the Minister for Health the timeframe for the completion of the transfer of disability functions from his Department to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51289/22]

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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710. To ask the Minister for Health the reason the transfer of disability functions from his Department to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has been delayed; when the matters related to this delay will be resolved; if he will provide a timeframe for the transfer of disability functions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51290/22]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 709 and 710 together.

Officials in the Department of Health and the officials in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) have been working intensively to give effect to the transfer of the Specialist Community Based Disability Services (SCBDS). This has been a complex process involving primary legislation, the development of administrative arrangements and a financial governance model.

The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 was signed by the President on the 12th of April 2022 and provides the overarching legislative framework for the transfer.

The Department of Health and DCEDIY are working together with the HSE, in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, to finalise outstanding governance and policy matters in order to facilitate the transfer within the shortest possible timeframe.