Minister for Health and Minister for Disability launch €20 million fund to Strengthen Disability Services
Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly TD and Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte TD today announced the Strengthening Disability Services Fund. A total of €20 million in one-off grants will be provided to reform disability services, build the capacity of disability organisations and to improve the quality of life of those who rely on these services.
Both Ministers agree on the importance of transforming disability services and strengthening voluntary service providers. This will ensure that people with disabilities will be given the right supports into the future.
Minister Donnelly said: “Making a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities is a key commitment of this Government. Today’s announcement will see an extra €20 million allocated to service providers in one-off grants to help them to improve the services that they provide to people with disabilities. It will further drive the service reforms already underway and it will strengthen the capacity of our voluntary disability service providers to meet today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. The grants will cover a range of initiatives from additional therapy sessions and IT equipment for service users to upgrading IT systems and providing training.”
He added: “This funding is in addition to the €100 million extra baseline allocated for disability services for next year as part of Budget 2021, and it is also in addition to the cancelling of a previously planned €20 million funding cut. We hope that this funding and support will help to improve the lives and care of people with disabilities.”
Outlining the details of the scheme, Minister Rabbitte said that the Government’s €20 million Strengthening Disability Services Fund will be used to drive that transformation agenda in disability services.
Minister Rabbitte added, “The aim of this funding is to help improve services for people with disabilities in a real and tangible way. On top of the additional €100 million delivered in Budget 2021, the funding is another indication of this government’s commitment to people with disabilities.
“Service providers previously said the 1% cut reversed earlier this year was a lot of money, so we’re now allowing voluntary disability service providers apply for up to 1%, which will be a major boost to their finances. Paid in once-off grants, this will help achieve additional progress in reforming disability services. Safe, good quality services should be the cornerstone of the disability services of the future.
“Because of this, we need organisations that are sustainable and resilient in terms of finances, governance and delivery, with viable leadership and management systems. I want to see a network of good providers who will be around for the long haul, and who put service users first,” concluded Minister Rabbitte.