Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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637. To ask the Minister for Health the number of new residential places that will be provided in 2022 excluding those who have a residential service already and are transferring to a better living situation; his plans to deal with the urgent needs of the 800 persons who are currently waiting for new residential places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57361/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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The government is committed to improving the lives of people with disabilities and their families through enhancing the quality of services and supports they receive.

The Programme for Government sets out an ambitious agenda for the provision of disability services. Budget 2022 will provide funding of €13m for increased residential placements on a planned basis as well as for more urgent care situations.

The 2022 HSE National Service Plan is being developed. The Plan will set out the type and volume of health and personal social services to be provided by the HSE in 2022, in line with priorities set out by the Minister for Health, and the longer-term transformation agenda for health and social care services in Ireland. The quantum of services to be provided by the HSE is being considered as part of the National Service Planning process. The Service Plan will be finalised in the coming weeks.

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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638. To ask the Minister for Health the number of persons under 65 years of age inappropriately placed in nursing homes who will be supported to leave nursing homes using the €5.5 million funding allocated in budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57362/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Nursing homes can be an appropriate care option where the person concerned has a clinically assessed complex medical and social care requirement which cannot be supported in the person’s home. However, for some people under the age of 65, nursing homes are not an appropriate placement and alternative, more sustainable supported living solutions are needed to give them greater independence and choice in their daily lives.

The Programme for Government is committed to providing a pathway to eliminate the practice of inappropriately accommodating young people with serious disabilities in nursing homes.

€3m was allocated to a HSE led pilot project in 2021 to assist 18 people inappropriately placed in nursing homes to move to more appropriate housing options in the community. Budget 2022 provides an additional allocation of €5.5m to address the situation of such young persons.

The 2022 HSE National Service Plan is being developed. The Plan will set out the type and volume of health and personal social services to be provided by the HSE in 2022, in line with priorities set out by the Minister for Health, and the longer-term transformation agenda for health and social care services in Ireland. The quantum of services to be provided by the HSE is being considered as part of the National Service Planning process. The Service Plan will be finalised in the coming weeks.