HSE Freeze on New Residential Disability Placements Sparks Serious Concern for Families

Families caring for loved ones with disabilities are facing further uncertainty following a HSE directive preventing new residential placements requiring additional funding for the remainder of the year.

The decision comes as approximately 2,000 children and adults with disabilities across Ireland are waiting for residential care places.

Under the directive, no further residential placements requiring new or additional funding can be approved before the end of 2026.

The restrictions also extend to urgent Priority One placements and increases to existing residential support packages where additional funding is required.

Jane Johnstone of the Before We Die Campaign has raised serious concerns about the impact of the decision on families already struggling to secure appropriate care and support for their loved ones.

The campaign has been highlighting the difficulties faced by ageing parents and family carers who fear what will happen to their children when they are no longer able to care for them.

The HSE says the additional financial controls follow concerns about approval procedures and ongoing expenditure associated with residential placements.

A total of 182 residential placements have been commissioned nationally so far this year.

The HSE currently funds more than 9,000 residential placements and says demand for disability services continues to exceed available capacity.

Regional managers have been instructed to develop contingency plans for those awaiting residential services and to make maximum use of existing funded places.

However, the decision has intensified concerns among families who have spent years waiting for suitable residential care, particularly those facing emergency situations.

Speaking to South East Radio, Jane Johnstone of the Before We Die Campaign expressed concern about what the restrictions could mean for families seeking residential support