Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 November 2023
513. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the current estimate of funding required to meet demographic and unmet need in the disability sector; and if these figures have been adjusted for inflation. [52335/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2021, the Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review – A Review of Social Care Requirements and Capacity Demand to 2032. This review set out the extra capacity requirements for community disability services up to 2032, based on an analysis of demographic trends and unmet need.
The Capacity Review estimated the extra investment that would be required to meet the anticipated need at between €500m to €1bn by 2032, over 2018-levels of expenditure, which totalled €1.85bn at the time. However, the cost of delivering services has risen since 2018 due a variety of reasons. Therefore, a significant increase in current and capital expenditure, in excess of the estimates set out in the Capacity Review, will be required.
Notwithstanding the capacity deficits identified by the Capacity Review, disability services have received significant increased funding in recent years, with circa €700m extra invested since 2018 leading to a total budget of €2.8bn in 2024. This has delivered further day services placements, increased levels of home support and personal assistance hours, as well as providing for respite, residential and multidisciplinary therapy supports for children and adults. However, Government is committed to doing much more.
In order to drive the process of implementing the recommendations of the Capacity Review, a Disability Action Plan has been developed which sets out targets for the development of necessary capacity in specialist disability services in addition to driving reforms in how those services are planned and delivered. The measures in the Action Plan have been costed based on the latest cost estimates for disability services. The Plan has been approved by Government and is currently being finalised for publication.
