‘Before We Die’ debate

Around the Houses

Minister Niamh Smyth (FF) gave an update in the Dáil on behalf of Minister of State at the Department of Disability Emer Higgins, addressing representations made on the ‘Before We Die’ campaign.

Deputy Pádraig O’Sullivan had said he heard of “very little residential support and virtually no respite support.”

Speaking on investment in residential services, Minister Smyth said: “It is just so sad to hear that, when you meet those groups, their lived reality is something very different.”

She said €65M was allocated to disability residential services for new developments in 2026, which includes €40M to provide 199 residential responses, including 152 residential placements. The remaining €25M will support in the region of 40 residential packages for children in care with complex needs, the enhancement of existing residential placements, decongregation transitions and the U65s programme. She said the Department is “working closely” with the HSE to move from “crisis-led residential placements” towards “a more planned and balanced approach”, with HSE regions and voluntary providers identifying and prioritising individuals earlier to “help prevent crisis situations”.

She said procurement framework is expected to be in place by Q2 of 2026, while new HSE housing co-ordinators and residential planning and review teams will be in place this year to “co-ordinate and oversee” the delivery of the new residential placements and plan for future placements, “many of which will be delivered in local authority homes”.

She also said “significant progress” has been made under the national housing strategy for disabled people in improving co-ordination with the local authorities and disability service providers at local, regional and national levels.