Disability Matters: Statements
Seanad Éireann — 2026-04-22
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Emer Higgins (FG), Dublin Mid-West

I thank the Cathaoirleach; I appreciate that. Other important supports funded by my Department include home support and personal assistance services. Approximately 7,000 people with disabilities in Ireland currently receive home support, including both adults and children with a wide range of needs, while almost 3,000 disabled adults receive personal assistance services. These services play a key role in supporting independence and enabling people to live in their own communities. That is why this year's budget provided €5 million to deliver over 150,000 additional home support hours and personal assistance hours this year.
This year's budget also saw a substantial investment of €15 million to increase the rates paid for delivering home support and personal assistance services. This will help providers recruit and retain staff. It will help build a sustainable workforce and it will deliver on a programme for Government commitment to align disability services rates with those paid for supports in other sectors.
Looking ahead, the Department is advancing the development of a policy framework to support community living. This will bring together key supports such as home support, personal assistance and personalised budgets to a clearer and more consistent approach for the future.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/seanad/2026-04-22/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:50+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-22