Written Answers Nos. 862-881
863. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to provide a list of all State agencies within her Department that allocate programme and project funding to section 39, section 56 and section 10 organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14384/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraSections "39" and "56" are references to Section 39 the Health Act 2004 Section 56 the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 respectively.
For your convenience see links below to relevant sections:
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2004/act/42/section/39.
www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2013/act/40/section/56/enacted/en/html.
This effectively means that the HSE provides grant funding to "Section 39" organisations and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla provides funding to "Section 56" organisations.
Under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla funds hundreds of community and voluntary organisations to deliver statutory, child-focused services on its behalf.
The funding provided by this Department to the HSE is used to grant fund organisations delivering specialist community-based disability services.
These organisations operate independently but are governed by strict Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ensuring compliance with public funding regulations, quality standards, and child safety.
It should be noted that providers funded under Section 39 and 56 statutory arrangements are independent employers, responsible for their own staff recruitment, terms and conditions of employment, and State funding does not create a direct employment relationship with the staff of these organisations.
Section 10 organisations fall under the remit of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, I am confident that Department will provide the information you seek as it relates to Section 10 organisations.
864. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the State agencies within her Department that have made provision for the pension auto enrolment payment as part of their allocation to funded organisations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14402/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy on this matter as soon as possible.
865. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether she acknowledges that independence for adults with intellectual disabilities includes the right to live with dignity, choice, and proximity to friends and community, rather than solely focusing on individual tenancies dispersed across wide geographic areas; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14427/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra868. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which her Department works with housing authorities to ensure that independent living does not result in isolation, loneliness, or loss of community for people with intellectual disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14430/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 865 and 868 together.
This Government recognises that disabled people have a right to have access to a range of residential, and other community support services, which enable living and inclusion in the community.
Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion was established under the Transforming Lives Programme. It is a model of support where people with disabilities are supported to move from congregated settings, often large institutions to their own homes in the community, with the supports they need.
When a person is transitioning from a congregated setting, they are transitioned into more appropriate homes in the community. Decongregation is progressing and continues to demonstrate very positive results for service users who have transitioned to living in homes in community settings. Additionally, in line with decongregation policy, places lost to decongregation are not ordinarily filled again. Therefore, all new residential placements are community based.
The HSE, together with approximately 90 service providers are providing 8,911 residential places to people with disabilities. At the end of April 2025, there were 1,335 individuals remaining in the HSE tracked congregated settings.
The predominant model of residential support nationally, in line with the ‘Time to Move on from Congregated settings- a strategy for community inclusion’ report published in 2012, is housing in community settings with person centred supports. Residential services are typically provided in a four-bedroom house, where four people share staffing supports and a home. In some instances, in line with will and preference, assessed need, or compatibility with others, a person may live alone, or with a smaller group of individuals. This model of support provides people who live in residential services with the opportunity to live with and engage with their peers where that is their will and preference.
The main goal of this model of support is to foster community inclusion, and to provide supports to ensure that a person living in a residential service has the option to engage with the community where it is their will and preference. This assists in tackling loneliness and isolation.
When a person is living in a residential service, part of their care plan is to develop a personal plan which includes the residents’ assessed needs, and outlines supports required in order to maximise residents’ personal developments in, in accordance with their needs, likes and preference. In some cases, these supports can include helping a person to independently venture into the community, or to engage with the community with the support of staff where required. The Deputy might also note that in some cases, an individual residing in a residential service may be engaging in education or employment in the wider community, which broadens the spectrum of engagement. Where a resident wishes, they may also attend a day service, which allows for engagement with a wider group of peers, and indeed engagement in the community. These supports allow people in residential services to live meaningful lives of their choosing in the community.
It is important to note that all residential centres are regulated by the Health Information and Quality Authority’s (HIQA). HIQA's disability inspection team is legally responsible for the monitoring, inspection, and registration of all designated residential centres for adults and children with a disability.
Inspections of Residential centres are carried out by HIQA to assess compliance with the Health Act 2007 (as amended), the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013, and the Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013.
There are a number of Regulations that pertain to person centred supports including:
• Under Regulation 13(2)(b) The registered provider shall provide the following for residents; opportunities to participate in activities in accordance with their interests, capacities and developmental needs.
• Under Regulation 09(2)(b) The registered provider shall ensure that each resident, in accordance with his or her wishes, age and the nature of his or her disability has the freedom to exercise choice and control in his or her daily life.
• Under Regulation 09(2)(d) The registered provider shall ensure that each resident, in accordance with his or her wishes, age and the nature of his or her disability has access to advocacy services and information about his or her rights.
When an individual is referred to disability residential services, every effort is made by the HSE and local and regional health areas to ensure the provision of residential services for the service user is close to family and natural supports, and that a person’s own will and preference is considered when providing residential care.
When the HSE seek a residential placement, the residential service offered will be tailored to the requirements of the individual regarding both accommodation and support. The HSE advises that while every effort is made by the referring agency to ensure the provision of residential services is close to family and natural supports, there are multiple important factors to be considered simultaneously, in order to source a residential placement that will best meet the unique and assessed needs and requirements of each individual.
In some circumstances, these factors together with the high demand for residential placements may lead to the offer being made of a residential placement some distance from the service user’s natural home.
Prior to placement, consultation with every individual and their family is undertaken, and consent is documented as part of the decision-making process. The HSE advises that each case is reviewed regularly where a transition closer to home is the will and preference of the individual. These actions are aligned with the principles of the UNCRPD and HSE’s commitment to equality and human rights.
The HSE advise that it is endeavouring to offer individuals the option of living in residential services closer to own communities through increasing capacity of residential services in the Regional Health Areas.
In order to build capacity and increase the provision of residential services, in 2026, €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 residential responses. This includes 72 new planned placements and 80 new unplanned urgent placements, a total of 152 new placements, as outlined in the HSE’s National Service Plan for 2026.
The HSE National Service Plan for 2026 also includes details of a move towards a more planned and responsive system of service provision and an increased emphasis on longer term planning for residential placements, with strengthened operational processes being put in place to respond to the current high demand. The ambition is that this move towards a more planned response to residential services in the long run can ensure better planning and outcomes for people with disabilities who require services.
866. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality whether her Department will support a pilot project (details supplied) which would allow adults with intellectual disabilities to live independently while accessing supports only as needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14428/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
867. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the way in which disability housing policy ensures continuity of friendships, routines, and social connections for adults with intellectual disabilities, particularly where families can no longer provide full-time advocacy or care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14429/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra869. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the assurances that can be given to families that their adult children with intellectual disabilities will continue to live with dignity, security, and appropriate supports when parents are no longer able to advocate on their behalf; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14431/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 867 and 869 together.
This Government is aware that some people with disabilities will require additional supports as their parent or primary carer ages, or in the case where their primary carers capacity to provide support is reduced. These supports are provided by the HSE and contracted service providers and are provided in a person-centred model of care which ensures dignity, respect and security for the individual.
There are currently a number of supports available to assist family carers in supporting their adult children with disabilities. These supports include day services, respite services, home support services, personal assistance and residential supports. These supports are provided in the community and are individualised to personal care needs, which aids in the continuity of care when an individual’s primary carer is no longer able to provide supports or advocacy.
These supports are aimed at supporting people with disabilities to remain in their family homes for as long as they and their families wish. However, the Department acknowledges that in many cases, a person with an intellectual disability may require full-time residential care in the case that their primary carer is no longer in a position to provide for their needs.
When an individual is referred to disability residential services, every effort is made by the HSE and local and regional health areas to ensure the provision of residential services for the service user is close to family and natural supports, and that each person’s own will and preference is considered when providing residential care. This helps to ensure continuity of friendships, routines, and social connections for adults with intellectual disabilities.
It is important to note in relation to advocacy, in line with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, along with most of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022, individuals who require specialist disability services are supported to make their own decisions with advocacy supports through tiered decision support arrangements.
The Act represents a major change in the way capacity is viewed in the State, and realises Ireland’s ambitions to meet certain requirements under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the European Convention on Human Rights by placing individuals at the centre of decisions that affect them and providing for the necessary supports to enable persons with capacity difficulties to retain control over their own affairs and the decisions which affect them.
The Act provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. Furthermore, it represents a crucial shift away from a ‘best interests’ approach to a rights-based approach to capacity, privileging a person’s will and preferences.
It is important to note that all residential centres are regulated by the Health Information and Quality Authority’s (HIQA). HIQA's disability inspection team is legally responsible for the monitoring, inspection, and registration of all designated residential centres for adults and children with a disability.
Inspections of Residential centres are carried out by HIQA to assess compliance with the Health Act 2007 (as amended), the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013, and the Health Act 2007 (Registration of Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities) Regulations 2013.
There are a number of Regulations that pertain to person centred supports including:
• Under Regulation 13(2)(b) The registered provider shall provide the following for residents; opportunities to participate in activities in accordance with their interests, capacities and developmental needs.
• Under Regulation 09(2)(b) The registered provider shall ensure that each resident, in accordance with his or her wishes, age and the nature of his or her disability has the freedom to exercise choice and control in his or her daily life.
• Under Regulation 09(2)(d) The registered provider shall ensure that each resident, in accordance with his or her wishes, age and the nature of his or her disability has access to advocacy services and information about his or her rights.
HIQA’s monitoring and inspection of these regulations aids in ensuring that people who live in designated residential centres for people with disabilities are supported to make decisions about their own daily lives. These supports assist in aiding people with disabilities to have autonomy and to advocate for themselves in line with their will and preference.
870. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the data on the percentage and number of men that availed of additional paternity leave in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14432/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra871. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the data on the percentage and number of women who availed of additional maternity leave in each of the years 2020 to 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14435/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 870 and 871 together.
There have been significant developments in entitlements for parents of working families in recent years. The Government is committed to supporting workers, including by extending paid leave for parents to allow them to spend more time with their child during their earliest years.
The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with 26 weeks of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks after the return to work, which have been extended to two years following the birth of the child, through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023. Furthermore, since 20 November 2024, employees can postpone their maternity leave if they require ongoing treatment for a serious health condition as set out in the Maternity Protection, Employment Equality and Preservation of Certain Records Act 2024.
As there is no benefit associated with the unpaid maternity leave of 16 weeks, there is currently no data available on the number of women that availed of this additional leave.
The Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 provides the relevant parent (other than the mother of the child) with 2 weeks paid paternity leave. S.6(5) of the Act limits this entitlement in the case of multiple births to a single period of leave.
Under the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019, working parents are now entitled to nine weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Parent's Leave is an individual separate entitlement and is non-transferable between parents.
While there is no additional paternity leave available, under the Parental Leave Acts, 26 weeks unpaid leave can be taken by an employee who is a relevant parent to take care of a child. The upper age limit of the eligible child has been increased in 2019 to the age of 12 or of 16, where the child has a disability or long-term illness which allows a parent more time in which to avail of the extended leave entitlement.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 complements existing family leaves and other entitlements already in place and provides additional flexibility to ensure that parents and carers can be supported to balance their working and family lives. Under this legislation, parents and carers have a right to request flexible working.
Furthermore, the CSO first published the “Employment Analysis of Maternity and Paternity Benefits” in June 2020 with a follow up release in May 2023 as part of the CSO’s Frontier Series Outputs. CSO Frontier Series may use new methods which are under development and / or data sources which may be incomplete, for example new administrative data sources. Details on this release can be found on the CSO website. The most recent publication covers the period 2019 to 2022 and relates to those who received a benefit payment from the Department of Social Protection in the reference year. This release is currently being updated, incorporating the latest data available. The exact release date will be added to the CSO release calendar prior to publication.
This Department is continuing work to understand the barriers to the uptake of family leaves and will bring forward policy proposals where major challenges are identified. The Department is also looking at how reporting on unpaid leaves can be encouraged.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2025-2030 was launched 18 November 2025. The first Action Plan which will oversee monitoring and implementation is currently in development and is due to be launched early 2026. Any further changes to supports and family leave entitlements will be considered within this context.
872. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has commenced a public consultation process on the development of an induction process as committed to as part of Nurturing Skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14483/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra873. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department has commissioned research into good practice in effective induction processes as part of Nurturing Skills; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14484/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 872 and 873 together.
The Department continues to roll out ‘Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028’. It aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector. It contains a range of commitments to raise the profile of careers in the sector and to support recruitment, retention and diversity in the workforce.
Nurturing Skills recognises the importance of an induction process for new entrants beginning their first job in the profession, to help them adjust to their new professional role with the support of experienced colleagues. The need for an induction process reflects on the responsibilities that are open to a student on a practice placement.
Nurturing Skills states that work will begin during the lifetime of the plan (2022-2028) on developing and incrementally introducing an induction process, through research, consultation, piloting and review, along with actions to develop services’ capacity and external supports for induction. This process will support movement towards a future requirement for all entrants into the profession (other than childminders) at all qualification levels to complete a supported induction period.
The first commitment in the current Nurturing Skills Implementation Plan is to commission research into good practice in effective induction processes, including in Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare contexts internationally. An initial internal research project into good practice in effective induction processes has commenced with a view to issue RFQ for research in the coming months. A public consultation process will be commenced following completion of initial research project.
The Early Years Services Regulations 2016 under regulation 10 require services to have policies on recruitment and staff training. Induction is identified as a core requirement in the Tusla Quality and Regulatory Framework which specifies that induction must be included in both the Staff Training Policy and the Staff Supervision Policy of ELC and SAC services.
874. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the reason her Department has yet to produce a midpoint of Nurturing Skills which was due in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14485/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra875. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the midpoint review of Nurturing Skills which was due in 2025 is expected to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14486/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra876. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality when the further implementation plan which is due to be developed as a result of the midpoint review of Nurturing Skills is to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14487/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 874, 875 and 876 together.
Staff in this sector play a key role in supporting children’s development and well-being, working in partnership with families. Recognising their central importance for the quality of provision, the Department continues to implement 'Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028'.
Nurturing Skills sets out plans to raise the profile of careers in the sector and establish role profiles, career pathways, qualification requirements, and associated policy mechanisms, along with leadership development opportunities, and will work towards a more gender-balanced and diverse workforce. It also includes a commitment and actions to achieve a graduate-led workforce by 2028.
Commitments in Nurturing Skills are organised under five "pillars":
• Establishing a career framework.
• Raising qualification levels.
• Developing a national Continuing Professional Development system.
• Supporting recruitment, retention, and diversity in the workforce; and
• Moving towards regulation of the profession.
A Monitoring Committee is in place to monitor the implementation of the Nurturing Skills Implementation Plan. The Monitoring Committee meet twice a year, with the most recent in December 2025.
The committee also produces an annual report on the progress of the Nurturing Skills Implementation Plan and the report for 2024 was published in May of last year. All of the annual monitoring reports on the implementation of Nurturing Skills can be viewed at www.nurturingskills.ie.
The Nurturing Skills Monitoring Committee commits to carrying out a mid-point review that will consider possible amendments to the Plan in light of progress made and will inform development of a second implementation plan. Monitoring of the Nurturing Skills will also be assisted by Ireland’s joining the OECD TALIS Starting Strong survey, which involves surveying a representative sample of Early Years Educators on a periodic basis.
The midpoint review was originally due for completion in 2025 however it was postponed to allow for the publication of the results of the OECD TALIS Starting Strong survey which was published in December 2025. These results along with findings from the CSO Early Learning Care Graduate Outcomes 2022 report also published in December 2025 will help inform the review.
It was also deemed appropriate to wait until the publication of Shaping the Future: Early Years Action Plan in December 2025. It is important that the midpoint review and new implementation plan are completed in line with the priorities set out in Shaping the Future.
Work has begun on the midpoint review; the Department intends to contact stakeholders regarding focus groups to support the process in the coming weeks.
The midpoint review will include an updated implementation plan for 2026-2028. This plan will outline the key actions required to achieve the objectives set out in Nurturing Skills. The findings from the research being used for the midpoint review, along with stakeholder engagement carried out as part of the midpoint review, will inform the prioritisation of actions within the new implementation plan.
The midpoint review and revised implementation plan are scheduled to be completed in early Q2 2026.
877. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the person in her Department that will conduct the Garda vetting of people over sixteen years of age in childminders' homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14488/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 set out a pathway for the extension of regulation to childminders. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla.
The childminding-specific Regulations are designed to be proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. The regulations differ substantially from regulations for centre-based childcare.
The Department is currently progressing the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2025. While the main purpose of this Bill is related to child care and the Child Care Act 1991, there is also a proposed amendment to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. The purpose of this proposed amendment is to provide for the vetting of the emergency contact person of an early years service provider and the vetting of household members aged 16 and over who live in the premises where a childminding service is provided.
It should be noted that the existing 2024 Regulations already provide for the vetting of the emergency contact person of a childminding service and the vetting of household members aged 16 and over who live in the premises where a childminding service is provided. The proposed amendment to the 2012 vetting legislation is a technical amendment following further consultation with the Garda National Vetting Bureau and the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate.
878. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she is aware that the majority of actions related to school-age care under Nurturing Skills have not been started; if she will provide an update on the progress of all school-age care actions within the strategy to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14489/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department continues to roll out ‘Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028’. It aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector. It contains a range of commitments to raise the profile of careers in the sector and to support recruitment, retention and diversity in the workforce. Work is ongoing in relation to the school-age childcare specific actions under Nurturing Skills.
A key commitment of Nurturing Skills is to Increase the number of qualified practitioners and introduce minimum qualifications for School Age Childcare, similar to Early Learning and Care. In 2025, research commenced to inform the development of a new Level 5 award in School Age Childcare. The research is due for completion in Q1 of 2026 and the findings will guide next steps and the requirements for the proposed award.
A School-Age Childcare Advisory Group on training and qualifications was established to support the development of training and qualifications in School-Age Childcare and the incremental introduction of minimum Level 5 in School-Age Childcare Regulations.
Three introductory eLearning modules related to SAC are in development, they will support the implementation of the National Quality Guidelines for School-Age Childcare. There are currently in the final stages of development and being translated into Irish. They will be available on Nurturing Skills learning hub in early 2026.
The Department recently finished a consultation on the development of comprehensive school age regulations. This consultation will assist with the development of appropriate school age regulations. It is expected that new regulations supporting the quality of school age services will come into effect in the first half of 2026.
The Department will continue to progress the commitments made in relation to school- age childcare under Nurturing Skills.
879. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the steps being taken to move away from institutional and congregated models of care, including the ongoing placement of younger adults with intellectual disabilities in nursing homes, towards community-based housing models with flexible, onsite supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14533/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra880. Deputy Robert O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if her Department or the HSE has examined whether current nursing homes support payment structures create a financial incentive for the admission of persons aged under 65 years to nursing homes, rather than to community-based alternatives; and if no such examination has been undertaken, whether the she will commission this research; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14537/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 879 and 880 together.
This Government recognises that disabled people have a right to have access to a range of in-home, residential, and other community support services to enable living and inclusion in the community in line with Article 19 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
In the Programme for Government, this Government commits to develop a multi-year capital plan for investment in residential and independent living options for both adults and children, while continuing to implement the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings Strategy.
Additionally, the Programme for Government commits to continue to work to end the practice of placing young people with disabilities in nursing homes.
‘Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion’ was established under the Transforming Lives Programme. It is a model of support where people with disabilities are supported to move from congregated settings, often large institutions to their own homes in the community, with the supports they need. The Report identified that in 2008 approximately 4,000 individuals with disabilities lived in congregated type settings, defined as where ten or more people reside in a single living unit or are campus based.
At the end of April 2025, there were 1,335 individuals remaining in the HSE tracked congregated settings, From 2020 to 2025, 454 individuals moved from congregated settings to homes in the community.
In 2026, the HSE National Service Plan allocates €3m to support the transition of 58 people from congregated settings to more appropriate homes in the community. Decongregation is progressing and continues to demonstrate very positive results for service users who have transitioned to living in homes in community settings.
In 2021, The office of the Ombudsman published “Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for younger people in Nursing Homes,” which outlines that for majority of people under the age of 65, nursing homes are not an appropriate placement and alternative, more sustainable supported living solutions are needed to give them greater independence and choice in their daily lives.
Data from the HSE indicates that as of December 2025, there are 1,209 people under 65s in Nursing Homes. 86% of these residents are over the age of 50. As of December 2025, A total of 121 people have transitioned to homes of their choosing in the community since the start of the programme in 2021.
Additionally, over 300 individuals have received additional enhanced quality of life supports (EQLS), while they are currently continuing their placement in a Nursing Home.
In 2026, The HSE National Service Plan allocated a record €10m to the under 65s work programme. €8m of this funding will enable 45 people who are inappropriately placed in a nursing home to transition to more appropriate living arrangements.
In some cases, a nursing home is an appropriate care option for a person under the age of 65, and a cohort of individuals may remain in their nursing home placement on an ongoing basis. The remaining €2m will provide EQLS to those who remain in nursing home settings. In addition, the U65 programme has also been awarded Dormant Account Funding for 2026 of €736k. This funding will be directed towards once off funding for EQLS.
EQLS are aimed at improving an individual’s quality of daily life in a nursing home, increasing social access and where appropriate, to support the pre-transition work, to help individuals prepare for a move back into the community.
Specifically, these EQLS supports range from iPads, Laptops, Audio Books & Head Phones, TV in own room, Motorised Wheelchairs, Mobility deceives, Communication devices, Exercise Bikes, PA (until year end), Therapeutic Supports, Allied supports e.g. Dentistry, Transport, Support Chairs etc.
Based on data from the U65 Operational Tracker, for the majority of those continuing a NH placement, the reason given is due to their current personal will and preference. Disability services recognise that will and preference is changeable; reviews are carried out regularly to ensure that the nursing home placement remains the most appropriate choice for the individual.
A further cohort will remain due to their assessment of needs requirements. Such complex medical and social care needs may require intensive nursing and medical care that cannot be provided in a home setting or by family members.
While the HSE are working on a targeted programme for transitioning those inappropriately placed in nursing homes into more appropriate care options in the community, this Government acknowledges that there have been admissions of people under the age of 65 into nursing homes.
The main source of admissions of people under the age of under 65 in to nursing homes is discharges from acute hospital settings where the individual has a complex medical need such as an acquired brain injury.
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. HSE data shows the impact that wider policies have on the numbers of U65s in Nursing Homes, with particular focus on the Acute Hospital winter discharge programme and its sustained focus on increased discharge rates and turnaround times from Acute hospitals.
Due to the work of the Under 65s Integrated Steering Committee and project team, there is a greater awareness across HSE Acutes, Older Persons and Disability services of the need to prevent people under the age of 65 from being placed in Nursing Homes.
Measures which among other things can prevent young persons from entering nursing homes continue to be supported through a range of services including Personal Assistants, peer supports, respite, day services, home supports, Advocacy and Digital and Assistive Technology.
The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (Fair Deal) is a scheme of financial support available to those deemed to require long term residential care at registered Nursing Homes. The Scheme requires a care needs assessment to establish that the applicant requires long-term residential care services and a financial assessment to calculate their client contribution. In this context, the HSE advise that there is no evidence to suggest that operation of the scheme could be considered to provide a financial incentive for the admission of persons aged under 65 years to nursing homes, rather than to community-based alternatives.
The National Clinical Programme for People with a Disability (NCPPD) is in the early stages of developing A Place to Call Home and its associated Guidance Notes - a rights-based model for all adults with a disability, supporting people of any age to live, age and thrive in their own communities. Together, this work will set out, in a clear and practical way, the full range of community-based alternatives to nursing home admission for people under 65.
Grounded in the Programme’s commitment to preventing unnecessary institutionalisation and enabling adults with a disability to exercise their right to live in the community rather than in long-term residential care, in accordance with their will and preference, the Programme is identifying the key supports, pathways and services required to uphold this right. This includes personalised supports, appropriate and accessible housing, enhanced home support, personal assistance, rehabilitation pathways and strengthened cross-sector collaboration — all central elements of the emerging model.
As the work progresses, the Programme will bring together research, data, stakeholder input and alignment with National reforms across health, disability, housing and social care to produce a clear, evidence-informed picture of the community options needed to ensure that adults with a disability can live independently and participate fully in society.
881. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures in place to reduce waiting lists for disability assessments in Offaly; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14538/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile clinical assessments take place regularly under primary care, through CDNTs and other health providers, an Assessment of Need is a specific assessment process carried out by the HSE under the Disability Act 2005, to determine whether a child has a disability as defined within the Act. If it is determined that they do, assessments are arranged to identify the health and education needs of the person with a disability and the services required to meet those needs.
It is important to note that children do not require an Assessment of Need to access health services, including Primary Care, Children’s Disability Network Teams or Mental Health Services, and that an Assessment of Need report does not result in quicker access to services.
However, demand for Assessments of Need has increased significantly in recent years, reflecting both the increase in population and the number of families exploring all options to access services for their child. This growing demand is outpacing the capacity of the system to meet it.
This government recognises that delays faced by for families in accessing Assessments of Need are unacceptable. There has been intensive work by the Department of Children, Disability and Equality and the HSE to address this, and continued improvement in the number of completed Assessment of Need reports.
In the Laois/Offaly Local Health Office area, there was a 54% increase in the number of completed AON reports from 2024 (152 reports) to 2025 (234 reports). This improvement is also reflected in the national figures with over 5,900 reports were completed in 2025 – a 43% increase compared to 2024 and an 85% increase compared to 2023.
This progress has been achieved by a number of measures, including the Assessment of Need Targeted Waitlist Initiative, which focuses on those families waiting longest for Assessments of Need. Under this Initiative, the HSE procures clinical assessments from approved private providers. Over 7,700 clinical assessments have been commissioned from private providers since the Initiative started in June 2024. The initiative will continue this year with €20 million provided for the delivery of some 6,000 clinical assessments, with a specific focus on autism assessments.
In December 2025, Government announced a series of changes to the Assessment of Need process which will make the process more effective and efficient for children and families. Over time, this should lead to a reduction in the waiting time to receive an Assessment of Need report.
These changes include amendments to Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005, which provides for Assessments of Need. The General Scheme of the Disability (Amendment) Bill which outlines these proposed changes was approved by Government on 9 December and has been published on the Department’s website along with an FAQ document. The Bill has been referred to the Joint Committee on Disability Matters for Pre-Legislative Scrutiny.
It is important to note that any proposed legislative changes will not remove any rights for parents to apply for an Assessment of Need for their child, nor will they alter the statutory six-month timeline set out in the Disability Act.
Other changes to support an improved Assessment of Need process include:
• The development of statutory guidelines to ensure that Assessments of Need focus on identifying a child’s needs, engaging in more intensive assessments only where required to identify need. This should help reduce delays and allow therapists to spend more time delivering services.
• A continued focus by the HSE on the training and development of Assessment Officers.
• The establishment by the HSE of eleven new teams, initially, to support HSE assessment processes, including Assessments of Need. Each team will include a psychologist, a speech and language therapist, an occupational therapist, and an administrator, providing clinical guidance throughout the process.
Work has also continued on a number of initiatives to address challenges within the broader system and improve access to and provision of services.
• The HSE will progress implementation of the Autism Assessment and Intervention Pathways Protocol in early 2026. The Protocol will provide a standardised assessment process across primary care, mental health and disability services and will be the preferred assessment route for autism.
• The HSE is introducing a Single Point of Access system, which will make it easier for families to be referred to the right service - whether that is a Children's Disability Network Team, Primary Care, or the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. This aims to streamline referrals and reduce duplication, so children do not end up on multiple waiting lists.
The provision of an effective and efficient Assessment of Need system continues to be a priority for the Government.
