I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question. Supporting the HSE in their work to improve the lives of people under the age of 65 living in nursing homes, including to transition individuals into more appropriate community-based settings is a key priority area for this Government and a commitment to continue the work to end the practice of placing young people with disabilities in nursing homes is set out in the 2025 Programme for Government.
Following the publication of the Ombudsman’s “Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for younger people in nursing homes” report in 2021, the HSE is co-ordinating a programme at the Health Regions operational and national levels, to progressively address the review and implement the report’s recommendations for which the HSE has accountability.
The recommendations focus on transitioning those within this cohort out of nursing homes and into homes within the community, while enhancing the quality of lives by providing additional supports for those under the age of 65 currently in nursing homes.
From 2021 to 2025, the Government provided funding of €21.4million to the HSE’s implementation programme. This includes €1million provided in 2025.
This funding has supported a total of 110 people under the age of 65 to transition from a nursing home into a home of their choosing in the community, including 13 people from January to October 2025. A further 12 transitions are expected and funded to take place by the end of this year bringing the total number to 122.
In recognition of this Government’s commitment, Budget 2026 will provide €10million in funding to the HSE’s under 65s programme. Further details of the number of people who are expected to be supported via this funding will be provided in the HSE’s National Service Plan 2026, which is expected to be published shortly.
I am pleased to advise that for 2026, in addition to the funding provided in Budget 2026, additional once-off funding of just over €736,000 has also been secured by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality from the Dormant Accounts Fund, which is administered by the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht to provide Enhanced Quality of Life Supports to people under the age of 65, living in nursing homes. Further details on Enhanced Quality of Life supports are included below.
The majority of individuals who transitioned out of a Nursing home, moved to community residential placements including sheltered living, specialised and residential placements with other individuals returning to their own/family home or to a new personal home with supports.
It is important to note that the U65s programme also aims to improve the daily life for those who continue in their nursing home placement and where appropriate, to support the pre-transition work to prepare individuals for a move back to the community. From 2021 to 2024, 154 people were provided with Enhanced Quality of Life Supports (EQLS), funded by the U65 programme and in 2025 a further 136 people have been provided with EQLS. Enhanced Quality of Life supports range from personal devices such as iPads, laptops, motorised wheelchairs and exercise bikes as well as personal assistance hours, transport and specialist and therapeutic supports.
It is acknowledged that a key component to implementing the report’s recommendations is to prevent admissions to nursing homes in the first instance. Preventing entry to nursing home facilities requires a model of service that supports the changing needs of individuals and allows them to continue to live a life of their choosing in the community.
Therefore, the HSE along with Voluntary and Private organisations are providing a variety of supports to people with disabilities including Personal Assistants, peer supports, respite, day services, home supports, Advocacy and Digital and Assistive Technology. These supports are governed by a diverse range of health and social care policies and ongoing programmes.
Additionally, due to the programme of work being carried out by the HSE, there is a greater awareness across Acute services, Older Persons and Disability services of the need to prevent those aged under 65 being placed in Nursing Homes.
