Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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139. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the actions being taken to address the issues raised by a group (details supplied) concerning ageing parents who continue to provide full-time care to adult children with intellectual disabilities, particularly in relation to planned supported housing and unmet need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29064/26]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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I recently met with members of the Before We Die group and I wish to acknowledge the ongoing work of the group, in advocating for increases in the provision of residential services for people with disabilities and to bring awareness to the issues many of the parents involved are facing. I understand An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister Emer Higgins have also separately met with the group, in addition to representatives from the HSE.

I wish to recognise the vital work carried out by family carers, while acknowledging the impact on carers' physical and mental health. Most importantly, I wish to recognise the voices of those with disabilities and the importance of listening to their wishes for their own futures.

This Government together with the HSE, acknowledges that demand for residential services is very high. The HSE acknowledges that there are challenges with both service provision and waiting times, however, it is committed to continually working with families and staff to progressively develop and provide appropriate services to enable individuals with a disability to achieve their full potential and maximise independence.

Increasing the provision of disability services is a key priority for this Government and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, alongside the HSE, is continuing to work to increase provision in order to assist those who are most vulnerable in our society, and who urgently require services.

The implementation structures established under the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 are central to ensuring independent living housing outcomes for disabled people. The provision of housing for disabled people in conjunction with supports is the cornerstone of supporting independent living for disabled people.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality, DCDE, is actively engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Authority, and the HSE, to explore means of responding to the need for additional capacity, which can assist forward planning and cost-effective placements.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, will work in collaboration with a number of other Departments and agencies including the HSE and Local Authorities, to advance Pillar 3 of the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which outlines the provision of a clear pathway for disabled people to access the supports they require to live independently and overcome societal barriers.

Additionally, throughout 2026, the Department is undertaking research and progressing policy development, with a view to developing a new policy framework for specialist residential services, which will include models of service.

As of February 2026, approximately 90 service providers are delivering 8,927 specialist disability places. Since 2020, additional funding provided to the HSE has supported the creation of an additional 982 residential places for people with disabilities.

These placements largely support people moving from their family home to a residential service and are in addition to supporting transitions of people from congregated settings into the community and people under the age of 65 out of nursing homes and into more appropriate community-based homes.

Budget 2026 has provided approximately €3.9 billion in funding for Specialist Disability Services. Specialist disability residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, almost 60% (€2.2bn) of the total budget.

€65m has been allocated to Disability Residential Services in 2026 for new developments, which includes €40m of funding that will provide in the region of 199 residential responses. This includes 152 newly created residential placements as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026, including 72 planned places and 80 places to meet urgent, unplanned need.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is working closely with the HSE to achieve a more balanced response to the demand for residential placements and move towards planned provision and away from unplanned responses where possible. HSE regions are working collaboratively with voluntary service providers in each Integrated Healthcare Area to identify and prioritise individuals, in an effort to ensure plans are in place before a crisis arises.

In February 2026, The HSE’s Capital Plan 2026 was published, detailing €43 million in capital investment for Disability Services, an increase of €16million compared with 2025. 2026 brings the first of a five-year investment plan supported by €278 million in funding through the National Development Plan.

In the context of the increased investment in Disability Services in 2026, the HSE is examining a number of additional disability projects which may be added to the Capital Plan during the year. In doing so, the HSE will take into account the need for regional balance and to ensure an appropriate blend across service areas, in addition to housing provision by the Local Authorities.