Carol Nolan (Offaly, Independent)
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773. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will support in Budget 2026 the raising of disability allowance, domiciliary care allowance, and carer’s allowance by at least €50 per week and introduce a permanent cost of disability payment; fund key priorities in the action plan for disability services 2024 to 2026, with a focus on personal assistance, independent living, and community supports, to help 300 people move into their own homes; allocate €1 million for disability and human rights training for teachers and special needs assistants; increase funding to the National Advocacy Service by €1 million, to reduce waiting lists and help reach underrepresented groups in need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51499/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, engagement is ongoing at present in relation to the Estimates and Budgetary process for 2026. This will inform the finalisation of the Estimate for the DCDE Vote for 2026 and the final position will be announced in the Budget communications / speeches on Budget Day. Pending completion of this process, it would not be appropriate for me to comment further at this stage on matters regarding this process or funding allocations for the coming year.

However, it is important to note that there has been significant investment in specialist disability services in recent years with a budget of €3.2bn made available in 2025. This represents an increase of 11.6% over the 2024 budget and a €1.2bn increase in investment since 2020.

The Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, published in December 2023, represents a national strategy for capacity increases and service and policy reform in disability services. It was informed primarily by findings from the Disability Capacity Review, published in 2021.

It is important to note that funding was provided in Budget 2024 and Budget 2025 to expand services in line with the Action Plan. This has provided for additional residential places in the community, expansion of respite services, Day Service places for school leavers, hiring of staff for CDNTs and additional hours of PA and Home Support. However, there is of course much more still to be done.

Progress to date on the Action Plan is captured in progress reports which are published at the link below. A report detailing the full year progress in 2024 is nearing completion and will be published soon.

See: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-children-disability-and-equality/publications/action-plan-for-disability-services-2024-2026-publications/

In relation to the other measures referred to in the Deputy's question, on 3rd September last, I was delighted to launch the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. Fulfilling a key Programme for Government commitment, the publication of this Strategy provides a whole-of-government framework for coordinated action on disability across the system, embedding mechanisms for joined-up approaches to the delivery of vital services and supports.

Whilst acknowledging it is incumbent upon all departments and agencies to advance rights in the execution of their everyday functions, in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Strategy will be delivered on a sectoral basis with relevant departments and agencies cooperating for the delivery of the actions across their respective remits.

Under Pillar One on Inclusive Learning and Education, priority action is detailed for the development of an integrated professional development plan on inclusive learning and education for teacher education, to be delivered by the Department of Education and Youth, including with respect to funding.

Furthermore, issues related to the disability support payments as detailed by the Deputy fall to the remit of the Minister for Social Protection, whose department will also lead on a whole-of-government initiative, under the Strategy, to address the Cost of Disability. Funding for the National Advocacy Service is also the responsibility of the Department of Social Protection.