117. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures she is taking to increase day services for adults with intellectual disabilities in County Meath; the number of new places planned for 2026 and 2027. [64791/26]

HSE-funded day programmes for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, or complex physical disabilities include a range of centre-based and community-based activities. Access to services is based on an individual’s needs rather than on their diagnosis. The focus is on supporting people to participate in the mainstream activities and in the life of their community, in line with their wishes and needs.

Day services are a vital support for adult with disabilities to participate in the life of their community and to realise their own ambitions and desires. The majority of young people due to leave school in a given year that require a HSE funded day service have been profiled by the end of the previous year to establish their support needs. Once needs are identified, referrals are made to the service provider of choice, funding is committed and negotiations are concluded with providers by end of May to confirm placements to young people and their families. In many instances young people due to leave school at end of June are introduced to their day services for trialling purposes during April, May and June so there is a natural transition into day services in September.

The HSE Louth Meath Day Opportunities Office have assured my Department that it is fully committed to supporting the expansion of day services for adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Physical & Sensory Disabilities and Autism ensuring that individuals receive the necessary support within their communities.

I can confirm that significant progress is being made in County Meath to expand capacity and meet growing demand:

2026 Placements Delivered:

• As of September 2026, 55 new day service placements have already been

• successfully secured and allocated to individuals across County Meath.

• In addition, the HSE Louth Meath Day Opportunity Office is actively working with service providers and the HSE Estates team to complete 4 property developments and renovations.

• These projects are nearing completion and will deliver approximately a further 55+ additional places across the following locations:

• Laytown: 25 places,

• Navan: 15 places,

• Kells: 9 places,

• Athboy: 6 places.

Future Planning:

The HSE Louth Meath Day Opportunity Office is strategically planning for sustainable, long-term growth and is currently collaborating with the Estates department to formulate a comprehensive 5-to-10-year development plan.

This forward-planning strategy actively targets properties and sites to expand service provision in high-demand areas, including Ratoath, Johnstown, Navan, Athboy, and Trim.