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

Turning now to legislation, the Department is currently undertaking a review of the Disability Act. This will examine and update the statutory framework that underpins co-ordinated action across Government and disability issues with the aim of strengthening delivery mechanisms and supporting a more effective whole-of-government approach. As part of this work, the review will also progress the programme for Government commitment to place an autism strategy on a statutory footing. In addition, I have committed to commencing a review of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act later this year. This will be a comprehensive review, considering all aspects of the Act. Crucially, it will be informed by the voices and lived experiences of those directly affected by its provisions, as well as wider society. Alongside the legislative agenda, we are also looking at a step change in funding for disability services. We are investing heavily in our workforce and are building on progress from last year. This year we will fund an additional 976 whole-time equivalents and 74 whole-time equivalents through agency conversion. We will have a total growth of over 1,000 whole-time equivalents in the HSE and will bring the disability workforce to over 23,600 by the end of the year.
I really appreciate the Cathaoirleach allowing me to go over my allotted time. I hope I gave a small indication of the huge amount of work being done in the Department by my committed officials, as well as in the HSE, in terms of the reforms that are being introduced and the efforts under way to transform the really significant uplift in budget we got this year into improved and expanded services and, most importantly, improved outcomes for people with disabilities across Ireland.

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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