Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
476. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 to children’s disability services; the details of the way in which that money will be spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40842/26]
View answerBudget 2026 saw a funding increase for disability services of nearly 20%. Total disability funding from this department for 2026 amounts to 3.9 billion euro.
New funding for children’s disability services includes €8 million which has been secured in budget 2026 to allow for the recruitment of 150 staff to the children’s disability network teams.
Additionally, funding of €20 million is being provided this year to continue the Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative, enabling the delivery of approximately 6,000 clinical assessments with a specific focus on autism assessments. These clinical assessments will inform the Assessment of Need process and support the completion of AON reports.
