Source: Office of the NSW Minister for Ageing and Minister for Disability Services, the Hon Kristina Keneally MP

NEWS RELEASE
The Hon. Kristina Keneally MP
Member for Heffron
Minister for Ageing
Minister for Disability Services

                                                                                                                                                           Wednesday 4 June, 2008

RECORD DISABILITY AND AGEING BUDGET WILL DELIVER FOR NSW

State Plan Priority F2: Increased employment and community participation for people with disabilities

NSW Minister for Ageing and Minister for Disability Services, Kristina Keneally, today updated Parliament on the record $2 billion budget for ageing and disability services.

Ms Keneally told Parliament the total 2008/09 budget for the Department of Ageing, Disability And Home Care is up 6.9% from last year to $2.024 billion. Included in the total budget, the rural and regional budget is up 7.5% to $821 million - now making up 46% of the total disability and ageing budget.

“The day Morris Iemma became Premier he committed the NSW Government to delivering the long-term help and practical support that the frail aged, people with a disability, their families and carers want and need,” Ms Keneally said.

“The 2008/09 budget delivers on that commitment, with full funding for the 3rd year of our $1.3 billion plan Stronger Together, and a real funding increase of $281 million since we launched the plan in May 2006.

“This year’s budget will deliver services including 280 extra supported accommodation places, 400 more intensive support packages which provide help to the families of people with disabilities, 840 extra therapy places and 340 more places in day programs.”

Ms Keneally said the budget had been well received by a number of peak disability organisations from across NSW, including from the President of National Disability Services NSW, Mr Patrick Maher who today said:

“In its budget submission NDS called for the NSW Government to enhance its multi-year funding through Stronger Together to respond to current and future demand for services, and believes its call was heard.”

“The 2008/09 budget will also deliver a major boost to disability sector employment – resulting in 120 more front line disability workers, and funding for Non-government organisations to employ an additional 1500 disability workers,” Ms Keneally said.

“There is more that we can do – and we are doing more. The Iemma Government is providing more therapy, more accommodation, more respite and more services for some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”

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