Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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256. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans to commit adequate funding for the implementation of the Disability Action Plan over its full- term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5753/24]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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257. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will commit to adequate ring-fenced funding for the Disability Action Plan for its full-term;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5752/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 256 and 257 together.

This Government is committed to the expansion of specialist services for people with disabilities. The Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, which I published on 14^th December, represents a national strategy for capacity increases and service and policy reform in disability services. It was informed by findings from the Disability Capacity Review, published in 2021, in addition to cross-Governmental input and an extensive public consultation.

The service areas for investment for 2024 under the Action Plan have already been agreed through the budgetary process. Specifically, €74m has been allocated for new development measures which will provide greater investment across a range of disability services and contribute to the progressive realisation of the Action Plan. The measures are:

• €20.5m for circa 100 Residential placements for children and adults
• €15m for provision of further Respite services, including alternative respite
• €18.2m for new Day Services places for approximately 1,250 people
• €8.5m for developments in Children's Services, including 125 new therapy assistant positions
• €11.9m for other developments, including 80,000 extra PA hours and furtherance of Community Neurological supports.

To enable strategic planning of new current spending and achieve value for money over the full three years of the plan, it will be essential to have an indicative funding envelope, though year to year funding will fall to be decided through the Estimates process. It is intended to address the capacity deficits identified in the Capacity Review in a phased approach, meaning this Action Plan represents an implementation plan for the first phase and will be followed by a successor plan in 2027. The Action Plan is a living document and will be reviewed and updated in the light of priorities, policy considerations and the funding available under this and subsequent Budgets.