The €336m in additional funding for Disability Services includes:
• €290m in ELS, a significant provision which recognises the challenges prevailing in the sector including the increased cost of service provision, pay cost pressures and service provider sustainability.
• In addition, the ELS will provide for the full year cost of new service activity in 2024 and, in a departure from previous years, ELS will also include provision for service expansion in line with demographic growth.
• A further €42m is allocated for new development measures to build on the service expansion achieved in 2024.
• Across ELS and NDM, funding has been provided for Children’s Services, Day Services, Residential Services, Respite, Personal Assistance and Home Support hours and other supports to assist people to continue living independently in their own home.
• In addition, the capital allocation for Disability services will increase by €4m (from €23m in 2024 to €27m in 2025) supporting infrastructure development across respite, day services, children’s services and decongregation.
• The specific quantities of service to be provided through this additional allocation will be set out in more detail in the HSE’s National Service Plan.
