Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 November 2004
231 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the breakdown, on a subhead basis, of the €2.5 billion spent in 2004 on disability specific services; if a detailed breakdown is not possible, the way in which the total figure is arrived at; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28535/04]
View answerThis figure of approximately €2.5 billion in 2004 was allocated to services and supports for persons with disabilities across a number of key Departments. The main elements of the expenditure are in the health sector, approximately €1.9 billion; special needs education funded through the Department of Education and Science, approximately €400 million; and the remainder is administered through a number of other Departments and agencies on disability specific services.
The figure does not include income support services provided through the Department of Social and Family Affairs or the Department of Health and Children. It also excludes expenditure on mainstream public services and programmes which are accessed by people with disabilities including for example transport services, general health services etc.
Investment in disability specific services has increased three-fold since 2003 and now represents almost 7% of gross current public expenditure. The Deputy will be aware that at the recent launch of the national disability strategy, the Government outlined its commitment to a multi-annual investment programme for disability support services to be agreed within the Estimates and budget process.
