Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Is that going to be addressed this year or next year? Are we going to see section 39 workers on precisely the same pay as the section 38 workers and the ones who work for the HSE and do precisely the same work as them? The figure of €30.8 million for respite services includes this year and next year. I question what is actually new in this budget for new measures that are going to be taken to increase services for disabled people. We had a disability capacity review which was very detailed. It said there was a huge amount of unmet need and that to address it and demographic change up to 2032 would take an additional €80 million to €90 million of funding per year. I do not see where that is allocated in the budget and I would love to get some clarity on it. Disabled people deserve better. I do not have time to go into the cost-of-disability payment. I know it is a social welfare payment but it also relates to the residential and respite services. Those issues need to be addressed.

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