I propose to take Questions Nos. 1816 and 1818 to 1823, inclusive, together.
The Government remains committed to the implementation of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024–2026 as the first phase of the implementation of the Disability Capacity Review, as set out in the Programme for Government. €74m has been allocated in 2024 for new development measures which will provide greater investment across a range of disability services and contribute to the progressive realisation of the Action Plan.
At national level, a Monitoring Group has been set up to review progress with the Action Plan twice-yearly. The Monitoring Group is chaired at Ministerial level by the Minister of State for Disabilities and membership includes representatives from relevant stakeholders such as Disabled Persons’ Organisations, provider umbrella bodies, and the National Disability Authority. The focus of its work will be to review progress including identifying any emerging risks or difficulties, in particular those affecting major items in the Action Plan, or where delivery is well off course. Where appropriate and relevant, the Group may make recommendations on how risks or difficulties can be addressed.
Progress on actions will be presented to the Action Plan Monitoring Group when it meets in September, following which a report detailing progress will be published. It will meet again to review further progress on 2024 actions in early 2025.