Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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2432. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality in view of the recent announcement by a service provider (details supplied) if she is willing to release emergency funding to address the crisis now facing hundreds of aging parents who care for their adult children with an intellectual disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42677/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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This Government is committed to the expansion of specialist services for people with disabilities and to support people with disabilities to live meaningful and fulfilling lives, with a person-centred approach across all services provided. The Programme for Government commits to developing a multi-year capital plan for investment in residential and independent living options for both adults and children, acknowledging that there is a pressing need for additional places.

In Budget 2025, €27 million has been allocated for capital projects in disabilities services. This represents a €4 million increase on 2024, reflecting the strong delivery performance across the sector and ongoing demand for capital investment to support safe, accessible, and person-centred disability services.

Furthermore, in Budget 2025, €107 million was provided to residential services for the development of new placements. €79 million of this will meet the incremental cost of new residential services provided in 2024 and €28 million is additional funding for new placements in 2025.

The HSE, together with contracted service providers, is currently providing specialist residential services to 8,729 people with disabilities- an increase from 8,146 in 2021.

From 2020 to 2024, 709 new residential places have been provided to people with disabilities, an additional 67 places have been provided this year (up to May 2025), bringing the total to 776.

It is important to note, while Ministers are responsible for approving the overall Capital Plans, the HSE is responsible for allocating funds to individual projects in alignment with strategic priorities. Funding decisions are made within structured guidelines of the HSE’s Capital Projects Manual Framework, ensuring processes remain transparent and aligned with national priorities.

The Department will continue to engage with the HSE throughout 2025 to ensure capital funding is aligned with assessed needs and national policy priorities. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to improving disability services and ensuring people with disabilities and their families receive necessary services.