Barry Ward (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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143. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if a review of existing practices, related to the provision of additional needs supports for children, with a view to removing potential work programme silos will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57534/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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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.

Robert O'Donoghue (Dublin Fingal West, Labour)
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144. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that an organisation (details supplied) has been in receipt of funding from the HSE since 2008, with the first allocation amounting to €32,068, and the same allocation of funding from the HSE has been ongoing for the past 17 years; the additional steps which are required to secure enhanced support for their vital work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57538/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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The Department, through the HSE, provides funding support to statutory and voluntary organisations who provide specialist community-based disability services in residential, respite and day settings.

While the Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall allocation for the disability sector, funding allocations to individual service providers is an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority.

In Budget 2025, the Department recognised the challenges that prevail in the disability sector. These challenges include the increased cost of service provision, pay cost pressures and service provider sustainability. In recognition of this, of the additional €333m invested through Budget 2025, €290 million was allocated to maintain existing levels of service. The Department has also provided supplementary funding to the HSE.

Furthermore, in 2026, the Department will provide an overall allocation of €3.9 billion to the HSE (an increase of €618m or almost 20% over 2025). Please note the level of funding allocated to each organisation will be considered by the HSE and as such I would recommend that the named organisation continue their engagement with HSE to determine the specifics in relation to this.

I would also like to acknowledge and thank the volunteers and staff of all service providers in the disability sector for the important work they do.