Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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2320. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason such a small proportion of families accessing disability services in Kerry are currently assigned key workers under the individual family support plan model; and the steps being taken to ensure equity of access across counties. [41384/25]

Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)
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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.

Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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2321. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if funding will be made available for outdoor sensory regulation equipment, such as in-ground trampolines, in Kerry, particularly for older autistic children who currently lack access to age-appropriate sensory outlets. [41386/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The department provides for the upgrading and maintenance of playground facilities for children and young people is through the annual Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation. Established in 2013, this grant scheme operates through and with Local Authorities. The scheme also funds the development of new playgrounds and recreation facilities and the incorporation of natural play elements.

Funding of €500,000 was available in 2025.

There was strong demand for funding under this scheme in 2025; with projects being approved for funding across 29 Local Authorities. Owing to the strong demand for funding on this scheme, my officials employed a weighted scoring system as part of the evaluation process.

One of the key criteria that is measured and scored during this process is Accessibility & Inclusivity ; under this criteria we require Local Authorities to indicate how improvements to facilities and equipment for which funding is sought will:

• improve access/inclusivity to the park/facility for children and young people with additional needs
• and provide access/inclusivity to the play equipment for all children

Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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2322. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 329 of 3 July 2025, to provide a further breakdown of the €42 million allocated in 2025, explaining how much was spent on each of the spending lines noted. [41393/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Budget 2025 saw an additional €333m for specialist community-based disability services across the country. This represents an 11.5% increase in funding on 2024, and brings to €3.2 billion the total allocation to HSE Disability Services. This additional investment is the single largest year-on-year increase in funding in real terms in the disability sector.

Since 2020 the HSE Disability Services budget has increased by €1.2 billion/ 58%.

The challenges addressed in the budget include the increased cost of service provision, pay cost pressures and service provider sustainability. The Department met some of these challenges by funding the HSE to maintain existing levels of service and to expand disability services.

In total Budget 2025 allocated €42 million in new service development funding to the following service areas: