Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)

As regards the Minister of State who has just left the House, Kieran O'Donnell, it would be remiss of me when speaking on an issue like this not to commend his father, Martin, one of the founding members of St. Joseph's Foundation, and his commitment to disability services in north Cork.

This morning I raise a serious issue regarding residential placements for adults with disabilities. I want to speak specifically about the Cork and Kerry region. The programme for Government states:

After reviewing the recent two-year healthcare funding agreement, we will consider the development of a multi-annual approach for disability services, which will be linked to productivity, staff levels and the delivery of services.

While I appreciate that it might not be in her script, may I ask the Minister of State about the approach being considered? Why is the word "consider" used in this part of the programme for Government, considering, ironically, the level of need within both our service and our system? Will she clarify if the Government is still considering the development of the multi-annual funding approach or can she provide a guarantee to me and families right across the country right now that this Government will commit to an multi-annual funding approach? In Cork and Kerry, there are 600 people waiting for residential placements. The answer to a parliamentary question that I received from the HSE stated that many of those 600 will benefit should the Government allocate multi-annual funding to HSE south west to address the deficit in the quantum of residential places. To me, that basically means the HSE is waiting for the money. As a result, it once again falls to the Minister of State's Department and the Government to decide whether these services for these families and adults will be provided.

In budget 2025, €106.6 million was allocated towards residential places. However, only €27.9 million of that remains because of the €78 million needed to meet the incremental costs from 2024. I accept that increases in age and life expectancy and the changing needs of people with a disability have led to the need for increased residential facilities. Does the Minister of State agree, however, that we are not doing enough at a quick enough pace to meet the demand? It comes back to political will. There is no will to commit to funding residential placements at a far higher figure than the current ones. I welcome the fact that in four years there has been an increase in 559 residential placements. However, as I said, this is simply not good enough or quick enough. Residential capacity will decrease during the year as a result of the loss of places in congregated settings due to debts which cannot be reutilised. I understand that this is in line with Government policy, which is to move away from institutionalised settings. While I agree with Government policy in this regard, with the closing of placements, this will only place more pressure on the HSE and not-for-profit organisations to try to relocate placements for those on waiting lists. Along with this, in addition to the issue, the in-year capacity levels will be impacted negatively as a result of regulatory requirements. No placement across this State should be closed until another one is opened. That is my firm belief.

We must also recognise services like the Brothers of Charity in my constituency of Cork North-Central that have done such wonderful work in many areas of my home county. I have an uncle who has been working in the Brothers of Charity, Lota More, for more than 20 years. I have seen at first hand the care and commitment to the development of these adults with disabilities, which must be recognised.

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