1070. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the priority given to disabled people who become an orphan in relation to access to long-term residential care; the way in which this works; and if it is the same process State wide for everyone in such a circumstance. [65433/26]

It is important to note at the outset that the Department and the HSE acknowledge that a person with complex disabilities may require a disability residential placement where their primary carer(s) can no longer care for them such as due to ill health or where a primary carer, such as a parent, sadly dies. Where this situation arises, the Department is assured that the HSE and/or service provider make every effort to engage closely with the individual and their family, carer or advocate to provide the correct supports for the individual. While many people will require a residential placement alongside other appropriate supports, others may require supports such as day services, respite services, home support and personal assistance. These supports can enable people to live in their community, should they wish. In addition to residential service need arising from the unavailability of a primary carer, the Department alongside the HSE recognises the voices of those with disabilities and the importance of listening to their wishes for their own futures. In this regard, it is acknowledged that some disabled people may also wish to be supported to live independently within the community, due to will and preference.

There are a number of impacting factors that may lead to the requirement for a residential placement or supports. The HSE advise that demand for services, particularly residential services is very high and it must ensure that services are allocated on the basis of greatest presenting need and associated risk factors.

In recognition of the high demand for disability residential services, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality continues to engage with the HSE, to expand and develop residential services for people with disabilities. Engagement is also ongoing to improve the process for service users and families to access these residential services.

Residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, almost 60% of the total budget. As of July 2026, 9,000 specialist disability residential places are being delivered by approximately 90 service providers. Since 2020, additional funding provided to the HSE has supported the creation of over a thousand additional residential places for people with disabilities.

Approximately €3.9 billion of funding has been allocated to Specialist Disability Services in 2026. Specialist disability residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, almost 60% 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 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.

The HSE’s 2026 National Service Plan includes details of a move towards a more planned and responsive system of service provision with progress reflected in key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure transparency and accountability in meeting service needs. Additionally, 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 2026, with allocated funding, 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 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.

The HSE advises that residential placements generally respond to residential needs demonstrated on the HSE’s Disability Support Application Management Tool (DSMAT), which provides a list and detailed profiles of people (Adults & Children) who need additional funded 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 Disability Supports Application Management Tool (DSMAT) is designed to deliver a consistent listing process for each HSE area by presenting a detailed profile of individuals (Adults & Children) who require both residential and non-residential supports. This supports the decision-making process within each area for the placement of people with a disability requiring a residential placement by ensuring that a standardised consistent profile is available for each applicant for 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. There is continuous engagement between the HSE, the Regional Healthcare Areas (RHAs) and service providers to ensure resources are prioritised on the basis of meeting the needs of people with a disability and those caring for them within the allocated resources.

The HSE advises that it is important that individuals 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.