Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2026
647. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the level of capital funding allocated in each of the past five years, and planned for the coming three years, to support the delivery of small-scale community-based housing for persons with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52674/26]
View answerThe Department of Children, Disability and Equality, alongside the HSE, is continuing to work to increase funding resources to assist those who are most vulnerable in our society and who urgently require residential services.
Ireland is one of the few countries that has a specific strategy for housing for disabled people. The development of this second housing strategy specifically for disabled people demonstrates the Government’s commitment to providing equal access to housing for all.
The Department is engaging with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Authority, and the HSE, to explore means of responding to the need for additional capacity, which can assist forward planning and cost-effective placements.
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.
While the housing response falls within the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality funds the provision of supports for community living, as well as supports for more complex specialist disability residential services, with the services provided either directly by the HSE or on behalf of the HSE by services providers.
Significant progress has been made, through the implementation structures established under the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027, in improving coordination with the Local Authorities and disability service providers at local, regional and national level.
This includes work to establish the levels of unmet need for specialist disability residential services in each county or local authority area, which will inform the setting of targets in the local authority Housing Development Action Plans (HDAPs) for two cohorts of disabled people: those living more independently in the community, as well as those with greater support needs who will receive specialist disability residential services. The HDAPs are currently under development.
I announced €43 million in capital investment for much needed disability services in 2026, on 24th of February. This represents a substantial increase of €16 million compared with 2025 and demonstrates the Government’s firm commitment to support and expand disability services. 2026 is the first of a five-year investment plan supported by €278 million in funding which I secured through the National Development Plan.
It is important to note that while the strategy, policy direction and overall allocation for the disability sector is set at Ministerial level, funding allocations and management of individual capital projects is a matter for the HSE, as the funding and governance authority, on behalf of the State.
Following receipt of your question, the Department has also sought an update from the HSE regarding the status of HSE disability capital projects of this nature. The HSE noted that while the PQ related specifically to Intellectual Disability accommodation, the figures below relate to all residential infrastructure over the past five years (exclusive of minor capital infrastructure upgrade works). The HSE do not track residential accommodation expenditure broken down per service group as the use of the accommodation can change from ID to other. This is an entirely operational matter.
The figures below relate to all residential and include a mix of de-congregation, residential and ID houses. There is no set amount of funding allocated for the next 3 years at this stage as the projects haven’t been prioritised yet.
National picture
|
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
2025 |
|
€6.363m |
€4.851m |
€5.950m |
€8.117m |
€7.044m |
The HSE acknowledges that there are significant challenges involved in the procurement of appropriate housing in a buoyant housing market, and the undertaking of necessary works to ensure regulatory compliance and in this regard the HSE is working with colleagues in the Department of Children, Disability & Equality to achieve a more balanced response with the development of housing that all sectors will be able to respond to need.
In addition, a number of HSE regions have appointed dedicated Housing Coordinators to assist with residential placement planning and identifying housing options for people with all levels of disability.
Local Housing and Disability Steering groups and regional forums have also been established to progress the implementation of the National Housing Strategy for Disabled people and these forums facilitate collaborative working between Local Authorities, the HSE, Approved Housing bodies and voluntary service providers.
A significant number of roadblocks to Local Authority provision have been removed through engagement by the HSE and residential programme lead, DCDE colleagues and the Dept of Housing and the Housing Agency.
Voluntary colleagues have put forward a large number of sites for developments again enabling progressions cited by Housing colleagues”.
Thank you for raising this matter and I trust you will find the information above helpful.
