Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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1364.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the financial support provided to a centre (details supplied) by his Department, the HSE and other statutory bodies; if he will ensure that annual operational financial support is allocated to this important centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter.[34444/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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In 2021, I was delighted to launch an annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF). The purpose of the Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF) is to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help remove barriers to community involvement and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities. The value of the Fund was €2.5m in 2021, and rose to €3m in 2023. It has now risen further to €3.5m for 2024.

As part of DPAF 2021 I awarded funding to local authorities across the country to deliver on important projects to improve the lives of people with disabilities in their county. In addition, Monaghan County Council, as part of their funding bid, undertook further local disbursal of funds to other worthwhile organisations. I understand that the Down Syndrome Centre North East received €5000 from Monaghan County Council as part of this grant scheme funded by my Department.

Health Service Executive (HSE) and Non-Statutory Service Providers

The majority of specialised disability provision (approx. 80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers. The HSE acknowledges the role and contribution of non-statutory agencies in the development and provision of health and personal social services and is committed to the development of effective working

relationships as enacted by the Health Act 2004.

The HSE has over 1,000 Service Arrangements or Grant Aid Agreements with approximately 445 organisations providing a wide variety of disability services on behalf of the HSE. A Governance Framework

covers these Service Arrangements and Grant Aid Agreements.

The profile of these organisations ranges from large, long-established and nationally recognised service providers providing essential services, to smaller organisations that have evolved over the years providing information and advocacy services or other related support to local communities.

On foot of enquiries from the Department, the Health Service Executive has confirmed that Down Syndrome

Centre North East is not in receipt of funding from the HSE.

HSE Governance Framework

The HSE has a Governance Framework to cover funding relationships with all Non-Statutory Agencies. The framework was introduced to implement the legislative provisions of the Health Act, 2004 and to reflect the requirements for public accountability where the HSE is legally obliged to account for all public expenditure on health and personal social services.

As part of this Governance Framework, there is an application and negotiation process whereby voluntary agencies can contact the HSE with proposals/applications for funding – see weblink below:

hse.ie/eng/services/publications/non-statutory-sector/

Applications for funding can also be made via a National Lottery Grant - more information can be found on HSE.ie at the following link:

hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/lottery-grants/national-lottery-

It is important to note that all applications for funding can only be considered within the parameters and scope of budget funding available to the HSE and in turn the allocation to Community Healthcare Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo (CHCDLMS) Disability Services.

Additionally, the website of The National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers, provides a list of funding sources for voluntary groups that would be a useful tool for agencies seeking funding streams– you can find this list at the link below:

www.fedvol.ie/Resources/Default.191.490.html