Albert Dolan (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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541. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to develop a multi-annual approach to funding disability services; the estimated timeline for when programmes in need may gain access to such funding; and the interim funding that will be made available in the meantime. [4428/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Unlike the position for capital expenditure, where multi-annual commitments are made within the National Development Plan, the Estimates process for current expenditure allocates funding on an annual (single-year) basis and no formal mechanism currently exists to provide funding on a multi-annual basis to providers.

However, the Programme for Government 2025 “Securing Ireland’s Future”, commits to the consideration of a multi-annual approach to funding for Disability Services, which will be linked to productivity, staff levels and delivery of services. My Department will work with the HSE and other relevant stakeholders to explore options for taking this commitment forward. This will include examination of options for planning service delivery on a multi-annual basis. This will also require engagement with the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

It is important to note that a substantial budget is already being provided for HSE Disability Services with the allocation exceeding €3bn for the first time ever in 2025 and standing at €3.2bn in total. This represents an increase of €330m or 11.5% over the 2024 allocation and follows a number of year on year increases.