Concerns expressed over funding for disability services in Budget 2024
By Michelle Byrnes
The National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers has “expressed significant concern,” regarding the provisions for funding in Budget 2024.
In a press release responding to the announcement, Chief Executive of the Federation, Alison Harnett, has said:
“Whilst we welcome the allocation of an additional €64million in disability services, we are extremely concerned because the allocation of 90 residential places clearly does not cater for responding to the significant unmet need outlined in the Disability Capacity Review.”
The Disability Capacity Review revealed there is an unmet need for residential support of up to 2,300 places in Ireland.
The organisation has indicated concern that the government’s approach has failed to acknowledge the rights of people living with disabilities and those set out in Article 19 of the UNCRPD.
They believe that the government approach “leaves people and their families in distress, with no route to planned residential support.”
They also seek confirmation of when the Disability Capacity Action Plan will be published and available to the public.
The plan was approved during summer 2023 and provides a better understanding of what support and funding they can expect for the future.
The NCBI
The NCBI, the national sight loss organization, also released a statement in reaction to the 2024 Budget saying:
“Much of what was announced today was also just a restatement of commitments to previously announced measures across various sections of society instead of further financial commitments to those sectors, which is hugely disappointing.”
They urge the government to take action and make targeted funding to support people who struggle with sight loss in areas such as waiting lists, counselling, rehabilitation, and health service provisions in general.
Budget Outline
The Budget 2024 was announced Tuesday 10 October and the Irish government reported that they will be investing €195m in Specialist Community Based Disability Services.
They state this includes increased funding for residential facilities, respite services, PA hours, and home support.
This additional funding is said to be going towards the rollout of the Action Plan for Disability Services and the Roadmap for Children’s Disability Services.
In a statement released by the government, Minister Anne Rabbitte states:
“I am fully committed to the continuous advancement of rights under the UNCRPD and to improving the range of disability services available to both children and adults.
“I will continue in 2024 to do the very best I can for people with disabilities and their families, to provide intervention and care when it is needed and to progressively deliver tangible improvements to the lives of people with disabilities.”
