O’Shea Welcomes Progress on Disability Residential Services but calls for New Places to be Delivered across Cork North West

Fine Gael TD for Cork North West, Deputy John Paul O’Shea, has welcomed the significant progress being made nationally in expanding residential services for people with disabilities, but has called on the HSE South West to ensure that new residential placements are delivered in communities across Cork North West.

Deputy O’Shea was responding to confirmation from the Ministers for Children, Disability and Equality that more than 1,000 additional specialist disability residential places have been created nationally since 2020, bringing the total number of residential places to almost 9,000.

A further €65 million in additional funding is being deployed through the HSE National Service Plan 2026 to provide approximately 152 new residential placements, including 80 priority placements to meet urgent needs.

Deputy O’Shea said that while this progress is welcome, families in Cork North West need to see the benefit of this investment locally.

Deputy O’Shea said “I welcome the progress that has been made nationally in expanding residential services for people with disabilities and the significant investment being provided by Government this year.

“However, national figures only tell part of the story. What matters to families is whether the right service is available in their own community, close to home and close to their family and support network.

“I am particularly calling on the HSE South West to ensure that Cork North West is properly included in the rollout of these new residential services and that the needs of people with disabilities and their families in our communities are identified and addressed.

“This cannot be achieved by the HSE working in isolation. There needs to be strong collaboration between the HSE, Cork County Council, other local authorities where relevant, disability service providers and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

“I particularly welcome the commitment that local authorities will, for the first time, set targets for delivering social housing for people with disabilities. Cork County Council will have an important role to play in ensuring that appropriate homes are identified and delivered, while the HSE must ensure that the necessary staffing, supports and specialist services are available.

“The two sides of this equation have to come together. Building a suitable home is only part of the solution; we also need to ensure that the appropriate care and supports are in place so that people can live with dignity and independence in their own communities.

“Families should not have to wait until they reach crisis point before a residential placement or appropriate support becomes available. We need to plan ahead and make sure that there is sufficient capacity for people who will require specialist residential support in the years ahead.

“The commitment to providing approximately 152 new residential placements nationally this year is very welcome. I now want to see a clear plan from the HSE South West, working with Cork County Council and relevant local partners, setting out how these additional services and placements will be delivered in our region, including across Cork North West.

“This must include proper engagement with families, people with disabilities, local disability organisations and service providers so that we are delivering the right services in the right places.

“The Government has rightly committed to supporting people with disabilities to live ordinary lives in ordinary places, with greater independence and closer to their communities. That commitment must be reflected on the ground in Cork North West.

“I will continue to engage with the Minister, the HSE South West and Cork County Council to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities in Cork North West are not overlooked as this additional capacity is developed.

“Families deserve certainty about the future. They deserve to know that when a residential placement is required, there will be an appropriate service available close to home.”