Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
1130. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residential places that were available as of December 2023; and the number available to date in 2024, in tabular form. [11964/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraResidential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, 58% of the total budget, and approximately 90 service providers provide residential services to 8,400 individuals throughout the country. The bulk of these are provided by the 50 highest funded agencies (comprising both Section 38 & Section 39 organisations).
It is important to note that residential capacity in the system can be reduced. When residents of congregated settings sadly pass away, their places are not ordinarily re-utilised. This is in keeping with Government policy which is to move away from institutionalised settings (i.e. Time to Move On from Congregate Settings).
I am informed by the HSE that by the end of December 2023, there were 8400 residential places for people with a disability.
Due to the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE, which has now been suspended, my Department is providing data from December 2023, which is the latest available data on the number of residential places for people with a disability. The HSE has indicated that figures for 2024 are being finalised and will be available in late March/early April.
