2957. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 161 of 23 April 2026, to provide an update on the progress made on the issues raised by a group (details supplied) in recent months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57991/26]

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.

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 HSE advise 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.

Minister Foley and Minister Browne, alongside their officials have made significant progress, through the implementation structures established under the Strategy, in improving coordination with the HSE, Local Authorities and disability service providers at local, regional and national level.

A key element of this work is establishing the level of unmet need for specialist disability residential services in each county and local authority area. This information will inform the setting of targets in local authority Housing Development Action Plans for two groups of disabled people: those who can live more independently in the community, and those with greater support needs who require specialist disability residential services.

Under Delivering Homes, Building Communities, each local authority will prepare a new Housing Delivery Action Plan (HDAP) setting out their planned delivery of social and affordable housing out to 2030.

A recent circular issued by the Department of Housing to local authorities sets out the identified levels of unmet need and clarifies local authority responsibilities.

It is expected that the new HDAP’s, which will run to 2030, will be in place by Q3 of 2026. The Department of Housing will be ensuring through these housing plans that disabled people are getting the social housing allocations to support independent living in the community, including the provision of community dwellings for disabled people requiring a residential placement which have also to be supported by the HSE funding.

A key step for disabled people to access social housing is to ensure that all disabled people with a housing need have made an application for social housing through the relevant local authority. The HSE has been working with service providers to ensure that applications for social housing support are submitted to the local authorities.

This Department is currently undertaking research and progressing policy development 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 is also considering 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 underway.