Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
546. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the Disability Capacity Review Action Plan; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29718/23]
View answerThe Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032 and it is intended to address the capacity deficits in a phased approach over this period. This reflects the obligation under the UNCRPD for progressive implementation of social, cultural and economic rights.
Following the commitment in the 2020 Programme for Government to work towards implementing the findings, a Disability Action Plan Framework was published in July 2021 alongside the Terms of Reference for an interdepartmental Working Group to develop this Action Plan.
The Working Group has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan, which will be an implementation plan for the first phase, is currently being finalised for approval. This detailed Action Plan sets out the first phase of work to build the necessary capacity. This Action Plan aims to build the capacity of disability support services to meet changing needs; improve timely access to services; do the groundwork to tackle constraints on the development of services; strengthen the focus on individualised services and supports to enable people with disabilities to live a life of their choosing in the community; begin the realignment of services to deliver better value with a particular focus on early intervention.
In recent years, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services. Building on the previous year, an unprecedented level of funding of €2.6b for Disability services has been allocated for 2023. This follows substantial increases in the budget in 2021 and 2022; and reflects this Government’s commitment to strengthening the funding provided for the disability sector and working to act to address the shortfalls identified in the Disability Capacity Review.
