439. Deputy Catherine Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the qualifying criteria used to determine eligibility for sustainability funding for Section 39 disability service providers that was allocated in Budget 2026; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54439/26]

This Department provides funding to the HSE to deliver specialist disability services either directly or via Section 38 and Section 39 voluntary sector organisations.

While the Department sets the strategy, policy direction and the overall budget allocation for the disability sector, funding allocations to individual service providers is an operational matter for the HSE as the funding authority. Section 39 organisations are advised to engage directly with the HSE regarding financial concerns.

As this question refers to operational matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.