Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
1294. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if additional support will be provided for specialist training providers for persons with disabilities such as National Learning Network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32977/20]
View answerIn the Programme for Government, we made extensive commitments to improve the lives of people with disabilities and in doing so, we signalled to those with a disability that we are serious about making a difference. In the first budget of this government, I’m pleased that we have secured significant additional funding to start delivering on those commitments.
We will be investing an additional €100 million in new initiatives in 2021, bringing the total disabilities budget to around €2.2 billion. The increased level of funding in 2021 will build on initiatives currently underway, as well as introducing new ones.
I will be targeting the new funding at five key areas: children’s services, day services, community supports, residential services, and integration. I will now ask the HSE, in preparing its National Service Plan, to examine how these key priorities can be progressed in 2021 within the overall increased envelope of funding for disability services
In addition to the investment outlined in Budget 2021, €20 million is being made available on a once off basis in the current year to support voluntary disability service providers engaged in the Transforming Lives Reform programme. Further information, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, can be found here: https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/94127/10ffcbd0-b0f7-425c-b8c8-ad27d93e4600.pdf#page=null.
