2880. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality her views on a report (details supplied); the measures being taken to address the issues raised; the engagement she has had with the Before We Die campaign; if she is satisfied he is responding adequately to their demands; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59871/26]

I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question.

At the outset, I wish to acknowledge the commitment of all parents and carers involved with the Before We Die group and their efforts to shine a light on the challenges many parents and families continue to face. I, along with Minister Higgins, have met separately with a number of representatives from the group to further discuss the issues they have raised and the progress being made in this area. I understand both An Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, as well as Minister Browne have also met with the Before We Die group in recent months.

I wish to acknowledge the vital work of many family carers while also acknowledging the impact on carers physical and mental health.

The Programme for Government recognises the requirement for a whole-of-government approach to advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

In 2025, the Department for Children, Disability and Equality published the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, which was developed with input from disabled people and representative organisations on the issues that matter the most to them.

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 Strategy, which outlines a collective approach to provide a clear pathway for disabled people to access the supports they require to live independently and address societal barriers that impact on their daily lives.

The work undertaken in line with this strategy will support a move to a more planned approach to providing residential supports to people with disabilities.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality along with the HSE recognises the very high demand for specialist disability services. The Department continues to engage with the HSE, to expand and develop a range services for people with disabilities including residential services. Engagement is also ongoing to improve the process for service users and families to access these residential services.

Budget 2026 saw an overall 20% increase, a total of €3.9billion, in funding for Disability services. Almost 60% (€2.2bn) of this funding will go to disability residential services.

€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 new residential responses. This includes 152 newly created residential placements consisting of 72 planned placements and 80 (Priority 1) new placements to meet urgent need, as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026.

Funding will also support further residential responses including supporting new residents to move into existing places which have become vacant, with enhancements and to support further transitions under the HSE’s Under 65s programme as well as people moving from congregated settings into the community.

The HSE’s 2026 National Service Plan details a move towards a more planned and responsive system of service provision to include the development of 72 new planned residential placements and progress, reflected in key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure transparency and accountability in meeting service needs. These planned places will be able to respond to residential needs demonstrated on the HSE’s Disability Support Application Management Tool (DSMAT) profiling tool.

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.

In addition to residential services, Budget 2026 provided additional funding to expand the provision of further measures available to support people with disabilities, including day services, respite services, home support and personal assistance. These specialist disability services support people to live in their community including in Local Authority homes.

The National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 provides the framework for the delivery of housing for people with all levels of disability.

Significant progress has been made through the implementation structures established under this Strategy including the establishment of the levels of unmet need for specialist disability residential services in each county or local authority area. This data will inform the setting of targets for the period 2027 to 2030, in the upcoming local authority Housing Development Action Plans which include specific provision for Disabled and Older People to address the unmet need identified.

Further to the above, the Department is undertaking research and progressing policy development throughout 2026, with a view to developing a new policy framework for specialist disability residential services. This policy development process will consider a wide range of matters relevant to specialist residential services, including models of service.