The Budget’s $240m in new funding over four years for disability residential support is a good start and should help make quality support available to more disabled New Zealanders, says the New Zealand Disability Support Network.

The uplift in funding for High and Complex services, funding to meet demand and inflationary pressures across the disability support service portfolio and funding to address the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in care recommendations are also positive and welcome.

“Quality support needs sustainable funding, it’s as simple as that. For Disability Support Providers who’ve negotiated restrictions and uncertainty while last year’s Independent Review recommendations were being worked through, this is very welcome,” said Debbie Hughes, NZDSN CEO.

NZDSN is optimistic that sector financial constraints starting to be lifted from 1 July will be a boost for providers and the disabled people they support.

“This is potentially great news, we’re looking forward to hearing more about how this will work. There’s lots more to do in our sector, and we’re keen to work with government to get it done.”

“Since the independent review recommendations were announced last year, there’s been lots of consultation and work behind the scenes. The uplift in funding shows the Government listened to the sector during consultation, so we expect providers to be heartened by today’s announcements of some tangible support,” said Debbie Hughes.

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