Over 1,000 additional homes for people with disabilities, Government say
The Government have are welcoming continued progress on providing residential services to people with disabilities across the country.
Funding provided to the HSE is going towards the creation of around 1,000 additional specialist disability residences for people with disabilities.
The aim of these placements is to support people moving from their family home to a residential service.
The number of residential spaces for people with disabilities has now reached almost 9,000, and in Budget 2026, there looks to be €65 million of additional funding to help create 152 new residential placements.
All councils across the country will set targets for delivering social housing for disabled people; these targets will be located in the Local Authority Housing Delivery Action Plans 2027-2030.
Minister for Children, Disability and Equality Norma Foley said: “There are currently almost 9,000 residential places for people with disabilities, and I welcome the progress that has been made in providing more residential places this year. However, we need to provide more housing for people with disabilities in every corner of Ireland. I know that people with complex disabilities and their parents and families need greater assurances that supports and residential placements will be there when they need them, close to home and close to community.
“This is a key commitment under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People.
I am working very closely with Minister for Housing James Browne and his Department to provide a pipeline of homes for the people with disabilities who need them most. Councils will supply the homes and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, via the HSE, will supply the funding for the staff and services that people with disabilities need to live in these new homes.”
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins added: “Too many people with disabilities and their families face uncertainty about accessing residential support, and unfortunately families often reach crisis point before residential services are available for them.
Families are rightly frustrated by Government's lack of planning, and I acknowledge that we need to do better at planning ahead, identifying needs earlier and giving families greater certainty about the future. That is something Minister Foley and I are working to achieve.
“This year, €2.2 billion is supporting residential services as part of our record €3.9 billion disability services budget. We are working with the HSE and service providers to deliver planned residential places as well as transitional support plans and enhanced care packages for families who need extra help at home.
“I will continue to work closely with Minister Foley and Minister for Housing James Browne to deliver more appropriate housing for people with disabilities and strengthen the coordination between housing and disability services. There is a lot of work to do, and our focus must be on making sure people can access the right support, in the right place when they need it.”