Catherine Callaghan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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117. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the Programme for Government commitment to develop a multiannual approach to funding for disability services, which will be linked to productivity, staff levels and the delivery of services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32192/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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A substantial budget of €3.2bn is provided by my Department for HSE Disability Services in 2025. The allocation is exceeding €3 billion for the first time ever. This represents an increase of €330 million, or 11.6%, over the 2024 allocation. It follows several year-on-year funding increases into the sector.

Funding is maintaining existing levels of disability service through an investment of €290 million. This includes funding to accommodate service expansion linked to demographic growth. Funding is also expanding service provision through an investment of €39 million into new development measures. The capital allocation for disability services also increased to €27 million this year.

It is currently not possible to enter into multi-annual funding agreements with service providers within the disability sector. This is unlike the position for capital expenditure, where multi-annual commitments are linked to the National Development Plan. For current expenditure, my Department is obliged to adhere to Public Sector Financial Procedures. This means that Exchequer funding is allocated on an annual basis, following the annual budgetary process.

However, the Programme for Government 2025 “Securing Ireland’s Future” does commit to considering a multi-annual funding approach linked to productivity, staff levels and the delivery of disability services. My Department is working with the Health Service Executive and other stakeholders to explore options for taking this commitment forward.

Options for planning service delivery and workforce, on a multi-annual basis, will be explored in the context of the HSE National Service Plan and the HSE Pay and Numbers Strategy. This process also requires consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation.