2805. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether a statutory future-planning pathway will be established for adults with an intellectual disability living with ageing family carers; the body responsible for initiating and completing each plan; the point at which planning must commence; and the timeframe for implementation. [55894/26]

To support people with disabilities and their families, the HSE and contracted service providers endeavour to provide the correct supports for individuals when needed including day services, respite services, residential services, home support and personal assistance.

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 HSE advise that access to services is based on assessment of need and prioritisation of risk and urgency.

HSE regions are working collaboratively with voluntary service providers in each Integrated Healthcare Area to identify individuals with urgent need to ensure plans are in place before a crisis arises. Engagement is also ongoing to improve the process for service users and families to access these residential services.

The HSE’s 2026 National Service Plan includes details of a move towards a more planned and responsive system of service provision to meet residential needs for people with a disability, with the allocation of specific funding for the development of 72 new planned residential placements and strengthened operational processes being put in place to respond to the current high demand.

Generally, the majority of people with disabilities who receive new residential placements are currently living with their parent(s) or carer(s) and it should be expected that a number of the new planned places and unplanned urgent places funded in 2026, will be provided to people with disabilities, living with older parents.

The HSE advises that it is important that the individual with disabilities or their advocate/carer make contact with their local HSE Disability Manager and local authority with a view towards discussing housing or social housing supports required.

The HSE’s Disability Support Application Management Tool (DSMAT), provides a list and profiles of people (Adults & Children) who require both residential and non-residential supports in each Health Region. Entries to the DSMAT are entered locally by the HSE and represent an indicator of need for people who come forward actively seeking services.

The DSMAT captures detailed information on home and family circumstances and a detailed presentation profile of each individual, including specialised profiles of behavioural intensity, key diagnoses, and complex support needs due to the extent and intensity of intellectual and/or physical & sensory disability.

The National Ability Support System, (NASS) is a key planning tool in respect of current service provision and future service needs. It is a national planning tool run by the Health Research Board, in conjunction with the HSE and disability service providers nationally.

The HSE's Framework for the Management of Residential Supports provides guidance to HSE regions in their oversight and decision-making process governing the allocations and use of resources for the provision of residential care and supports. The purpose of this framework is to ensure that:

• An equitable, transparent and consistent practice regarding the prioritisation of need of applicants for residential supports is implemented across and within each Region.

• Measures are put in place to ensure residential placements and supports are only considered when all other options such as respite and in home supports have been exhausted.

• A robust review and regular monitoring of the current configuration or delivery of services takes place.

• Assist in the strategic planning of residential resources.

With the funding allocated for 2026, the HSE has begun work to establish Residential Placement Planning & Review Teams in each Regional Health Area. The aim of these teams will be to improve forward planning of residential placements, and to ensure that individuals are appropriately assessed in relation to support needs prior to placement in residential services and reviewed in a timely manner for duration of the placement in respect of quality of care and support needs.

Furthermore, with additional funding secured in recent Budgets, new HSE housing coordinators will also be in place this year to coordinate and oversee the delivery of the new residential placements and plan for future placements, many of which will be delivered in Local Authority homes.

Availability of suitable housing is particularly important in the delivery of residential supports. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage are working closely with the HSE and local authorities to respond to the need for additional capacity and improve forward planning, including more cost-effective approaches to meeting housing and support needs. This includes setting specific targets in Local Authority Housing Development Action Plans, which are currently under development.

Throughout 2026, this Department is undertaking research and progressing policy development, with a view to developing a new policy framework for both specialist disability residential services and respite services.

The Department is also advancing the development of a policy framework on community-based supports, including home support and personal assistance.

These supports play a critical role in enabling disabled peoples’ independence and participation in their communities. The work will also consider the appropriate role of personalised budgets. Engagement with stakeholders, particularly those in receipt of these services, will be an important part of the reform programme under way.