Ministers agree on need to remove red tape from recruiting therapists into disability services

The programme for Government commits to a 'step change' in disability services, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin set to establish a disability unit within his department. File Picture: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Senior government ministers have agreed that red tape should be removed from recruiting therapists from abroad in an effort to help improve disability services.

The programme for Government commits to a “step change” in disability services, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin set to establish a disability unit within his department.

This new unit will be staffed with external expertise that will focus on improving disability services.

Among the issues raised at a meeting of ministers on Monday was the need to cut away red tape that slows down the recruitment and registration of therapists from other countries — including Britain.

“It’s harder than it should be to register therapists,” a source said.

It is understood other issues raised include the need to improve access for people with disabilities onto trains and buses throughout Ireland’s public transport system, as well as dealing with issues around assessments of need.

The new disability unit will be asked to target employment opportunities for people with disabilities, particularly focusing on the public sector.

The meeting also heard there needs to be easier access to a range of supports for people living with disabilities in this country.

Vacant house grants

In addition, housing minister James Browne will tell Cabinet on Tuesday that there have been 1,349 vacant home grants drawn down as of December 2024.

It is understood there have been over 11,300 applications for the vacant property refurbishment grant — of which there have been more than 7,700 approvals.

The Croí Cónaithe scheme provides up to €70,000 in grant payments to individuals putting vacant or derelict properties back into use.

The Irish Examiner reported last week that Mr Browne is reviewing the grant scheme to introduce staged payments.

Meanwhile, culture minister Patrick O’Donovan is to bring the terms of reference for an inquiry into the botched €7m Arts Council IT system to Cabinet.

The project was initially expected to cost €3m, but later spiralled to more than double its original cost, before being axed in 2024.

In addition, the Taoiseach and Tánaiste are to seek Cabinet approval to allocate a further €57m towards the Shared Island Fund.

If approved, this funding will be allocated towards several different projects — with €23m to go towards tourism along the border region.

Tánaiste Simon Harris will brief Cabinet on Ireland’s hosting of the EU presidency from July next year.