Disability Housing Ireland: Ministers Welcome Progress on Residential Services

Ireland has expanded disability residential services, but families still face uncertainty when specialist support is needed. Ministers Norma Foley and Emer Higgins say new funding, housing targets and closer cooperation with local authorities are intended to improve access to appropriate homes and supports.

Disability housing Ireland: More residential places created

According to a Department of Children, Disability and Equality press release published on 21 September 2026, more than 1,000 additional specialist residential places have been developed since 2020 through extra funding for the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The expansion has brought the national total to almost 9,000 residential places for people with disabilities. Many of the new placements support people moving from the family home, alongside ongoing transitions from congregated settings.

Under the HSE National Service Plan 2026, €65 million in additional Budget 2026 funding is being used to create approximately 152 new residential placements:

• 72 planned placements;
• 80 priority-one placements aimed at urgent need.

Housing targets to support disabled people

A key development is the planned inclusion of specific disability housing targets in Local Authority Housing Delivery Action Plans for 2027–2030. Following engagement with the housing portfolio and local authorities, every council is expected to set targets for two groups:

1. People who can live more independently in the community with some support.
2. People who require intensive or specialist disability supports.

The approach reflects the National Housing Strategy for Disabled People and is designed to improve coordination between local authorities, disability service providers and the HSE. The Department will fund staff and services, while councils will play a central role in delivering suitable homes.

Families need earlier planning and certainty

Minister Emer Higgins acknowledged that families can face crisis situations before residential support becomes available. She said work is continuing on forward planning, earlier identification of needs, transitional support plans and enhanced care packages for people who need additional assistance at home.

The Government says €2.2 billion is supporting residential services within a record disability services budget of €3.9 billion this year. Funding is also available to fill vacant residential places and support existing residents whose needs have become more complex.

Ministers Foley and Higgins recently met HSE chief executive Anne O’Connor and senior management to discuss residential provision and wider disability services. A new procurement framework for private providers of disability residential services is also nearing completion.

Policy development will include lived experience

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is carrying out research to support a new policy framework for specialist disability residential services. Input from people with lived experience, families and other stakeholders is expected to inform the next stage of policy development.

What happens next?

The forthcoming local authority housing plans will be important in translating national commitments into local delivery. Success will depend on whether suitable homes, trained staff and specialist supports become available together, close to people’s families and communities.

The key takeaway: disability housing Ireland is moving toward a more coordinated model, with additional residential places, clearer local authority targets and greater emphasis on planning ahead. However, sustained delivery will be essential to give people with disabilities and their families the certainty they need.

Article/Image Courtesy: gov.ie