Before We Die Campaign Calls For More Residential Places

The Before We Die campaign is calling on the Government to provide more residential and supported-living places for adults with intellectual disabilities.

The campaign says around 2,000 adults in Ireland are living with family carers aged over 70, including 500 whose parents are over 80.

In Wexford, the campaign has brought together 17 local families facing similar concerns. Among its supporters is Mayor of Wexford Vicky Barron, who is backing the campaign’s call for action.

One of the campaign’s prominent Wexford voices is Jane Johnstone, who cares for her two adult sons, Evan and Dan, who both have intellectual disabilities. Jane is seeking residential care for Evan but says she has been told there are currently no residential places available in Wexford.

The campaign is calling for the Government to meet the targets set out in the 2021 Disability Capacity Review, which identified a need for at least 1,900 additional residential places by 2032.