Written answer
Disability Services
255. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if there are plans to revisit the decision to move away from congregated settings for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50185/26]
Comment on this
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 overall budget increase from €1.7bn at the close of 2017 to close to €3.9bn in 2026 for specialist disability services, reflects the Programme for Government commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities, signalling to those with a disability that this Government is committed to making a difference to their lives.
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 remaining €25m will support in the region of 40 residential packages for children in care with complex needs, the enhancement of existing residential placements, transitions and the Under 65’s programme.
The Department of Children, Disability and Equality, is 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.
Throughout 2026, this Department is undertaking research and progressing policy development, with a view to developing a new policy framework for specialist residential services. The policy development process will consider a range of matters relevant to specialist residential services including models of service.