John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

519. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of respite care facilities operated by HSE or funded partners which are available to children with disabilities in Cork and Kerry; the capacity of each centre, in tabular form; to confirm if these centres are operating at full capacity; the wait list for each centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50272/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

520. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of respite care facilities operated by the HSE or funded partners which are available to adults with disabilities in Cork and Kerry; the capacity of each centre, in tabular form; to confirm if these centres are operating at full capacity; the wait list for each centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50273/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

John Paul O'Shea (Cork North-West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

521. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the funding provided to agencies providing disability services in Cork and Kerry for the period 2020 to 2025 inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50274/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly in relation to this matter.

Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

523. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the work her Department has undertaken for the development of a cost of disability payment alongside the Department of Social Protection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50023/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I thank the Deputy for the question. Government recognises the extra living costs experienced by people with disabilities and the ways in which these costs can negatively impact the lives of disabled people and their families, often leading to an increased risk of poverty and financial insecurity.

The Programme for Government commits to addressing the cost of disability through a range of measures including an Annual Cost of Disability Support Payment. While measures and initiatives aimed at poverty reduction and social protection are the primary responsibility of the Department of Social Protection, reducing the cost of disability is also a cross-cutting objective that affects a broad range of policy areas, therefore requiring a response across government.

As well as income supports, the delivery of and access to services are also key. Costs can arise due to a number of factors, including higher expenses related to healthcare, transport, education and other services.

The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 launched by Government on 3rd September sets out a whole-of-government framework for the coordination of disability policy across government, and collaboration on cross-cutting issues such as the cost of disability.

Over the timeframe of the First Programme Plan of Action 2025-2026, the Department of Social Protection will lead across Government on a Strategic Focus Network on Cost of Disability that will bring additional focus to this issue. The purpose of the Network will be to gather together key stakeholders across government and the disability sector, to provide space for:

• Shared learning on initiatives that have been advanced and innovative good practice;
• Strategic thinking around potential options for making further progress; and
• Identifying key actions that would bring about significant step-change in the lives of disabled people and that can be progressed during the timeframe of the Strategy.