Changes to the way Muiríosa Foundation provide supports

An Oireachtas discussion on the living arrangements for people with disabilities heard that Muiríosa Foundation de-congregated from the original setting in Delvin and that is changing the way people with intellectual disability and autism are being supported.

The de-congregation process at the Muiríosa Foundation involves moving people with intellectual disabilities and autism from traditional, congregated settings into homes within communities. The shift aligns with national policy to promote independent living and inclusion.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on disability matters heard that the Muiríosa Foundation provides services for people with intellectual disabilities in the midlands, and it is actively involved in the process of de-congregation.

Siobhán Bryan, CEO of the Muiríosa Foundation, told the committee that the foundation provides services to both children and adults with an intellectual disability and autistic people across the counties of Westmeath, Longford, Meath, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Tipperary and Kilkenny.

“We currently provide direct support to approximately 1,200 adults and children and through our clinical services, we support a further 1,000 people. The services we provide include residential, residential respite, alternative respite, adult day, preschool and share-a-break and room-to-share supports,” Ms Bryan said.

Meath East independent TD, Gillian Toole queried about the progression of the de-congregation. Ms Bryan said the process has been successful: “We have a female-dominant workforce, that is the reality. There is a need for us to be flexible to meeting the needs, particularly at stages in people’s lives where they may have young families. The deputy also asked me about the number of houses in Meath.

“We have a total of 142 residential houses and only about 10 of those are in County Meath. That is largely because we finalised de-congregation of Muiríosa last year. It would be homes that decongregated from the original setting in Delvin the deputy might be familiar with.”

The foundation has focused on dismantling larger day services in favour of a more local, community-based presence. In the Delvin area specifically, the foundation has operated a ‘Room to Share’ scheme, where residents provide care in their homes to adults with intellectual disabilities.

The organisation’s 2025-2029 strategic plan emphasises supporting individuals to live “self-directed, connected, and fulfilling lives”. The goal of that process is to ensure that people with disabilities live in their communities as equal citizens, in line with Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.