Disability funding hike ‘could rise to €15bn’

JUNIOR Justice Minister Willie O’Dea said yesterday he was hopeful that more than €15 billion could be allocated to people with disabilities over the next five years.

The minister was responding to a claim that the increased funding would be allocated under the long-awaited Disabilities Bill due to be published in a fortnight.

"The current expenditure on people with disabilities is €2.5 billion a year and this will be maintained over the next five years and increased in line with inflation," Mr O'Dea said.