Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 July 2025
631. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 1831 of 29 April 2025, the reason for the delay in providing an answer; the reason a second parliamentary question regarding the matter has been ignored; when an answer will be forthcoming; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35294/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra642. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether any official within her Department was aware of the commitment given by a previous Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte, who publicly committed to funding of €200,000 for adult day care services and €150,000 for respite services at a disability services provider (details supplied) during a visit to the disability services provider in June 2023; if this commitment will be fulfilled; whether an official within the Department was aware of the commitment prior to or after the commitment being announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35418/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 631 and 642 together.
I wish to acknowledge the delay in the Deputy receiving a response to Parliamentary Question No. 1831 of 29 April 2025. I have arranged for my officials to follow up with the Health Service Executive (HSE).
I have been informed by my officials that they are unaware of any prior verbal commitments for funding for this service.
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department provides funding to the HSE to deliver specialist disability services either directly or via Section 38 and Section 39 Voluntary Organisations. The Department does not have any funding or governance relationship with the S38s and S39s.
It is important to note that, while the strategy, policy direction and overall allocation for the sector is set at Ministerial level, funding allocations to individual providers or under HSE managed grant schemes is an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority.
As this question refers to both service matters and HSE parliamentary matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
