Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
478. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 for new priority one residential placements; the details of the way in which that money will be spent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40844/26]
View answer479. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the amount of new funding allocated in Budget 2026 for moves from congregated settings; the number of moves that will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40845/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 478 and 479 together.
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% (€2.2billon) of the total budget.
As of March 2026, 9,021 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.
In addition to funding these existing residential placements, €65 million has been allocated to Disability Residential Services in 2026 for new developments, which includes €40 million of funding that will provide in the region of 199 new residential responses. This includes 152 newly created residential places including 72 planned places and 80 unplanned places to meet urgent need, as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026. This funding will also support new residents in existing placements that have become vacant and require enhancement and in limited circumstances, placements in nursing home settings.
In addition to funding for new residential responses, the remaining €25 million consists of:
€6 million• to support 40 residential packages for children in care with complex needs, in coordination with Túsla.
€6 million• to enhance 38 existing residential placements for individuals whose support needs have increased
€3 million• for decongregation, to support the transition of 58 people from congregated settings to more appropriate homes in the community.
€10 million• for U65s in Nursing Homes, which includes €8 million to support 45 transitions to more appropriate settings, and €2 million to enhance quality of life for those remaining in nursing homes.
With regard to decongregation, prior to the transition of people out of congregated settings, the HSE ensure on a case-by-case basis, that the new community-based placement is appropriate to the individual needs of the resident and compatibility with other residents of the new home is also considered.
There are many considerations in ensuring a new placement is suitable for an individual including to ensure will and preference is taken into account and that the unique needs of a resident are taken into account. The numbers of people resident in one home can vary dependent on availability and individual needs.
Time to Move on from Congregated Settings is progressing and continues to demonstrate very positive results for service users who have transitioned to living in homes in community settings. HIQA continue to advise of their findings that residents have a much better quality of life in a community-based settings compared to a congregated setting. Generally, a community-based setting means that residents live with a smaller number of people and have more control and choice over their daily routines.
