Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 30 April 2025
155. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will commit to providing multi-year development funding which was available pre-2008, for residential placements for adults with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21354/25]
View answerThe Government approved the Disability Action Plan in July 2023 in order to address capacity deficits which had been identified in the Disability Capacity Review. From this, the Action Plan for Disability Services was developed, providing a multi-year framework for service expansion and strategic policy development with a view to maximising effectiveness and impact.
The Action Plan has informed budget deliberations and the prioritisation of areas for development in coming years. It is a living document which will be reviewed and updated in the light of priorities, policy considerations and the funding available under the current and subsequent Budgets.
€106.6m in additional funding has been provided to residential services in Budget 2025. This includes €78.68m to meet the incremental cost of 2024 new developments and €27.9m new funding in respect of 2025.
Unlike the position for capital expenditure (where multi-annual commitments are made within the National Development Plan), my Department is obliged to adhere to the Public Sector Financial Procedures, whereby Exchequer funding for current expenditure is allocated on an annual basis, following the annual budgetary process. As a result, it is not currently possible to enter into multi-annual funding agreements.
