Minister Foley and Minister of State Higgins announce €43 Million funding for Disability Capital Projects in 2026.
- From: Department of Children, Disability and Equality
- Published on: 24 February 2026
- Last updated on: 24 February 2026
- Funding will further enhance Disability Capital Infrastructure for Children’s Services, Day Services, Respite and Residential Services
Minister for Children, Disability, and Equality, Norma Foley, and Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins, have announced €43 million in ring-fenced capital funding to support Community Based Specialist Disability Services in 2026.
This significant capital investment represents a €16 million increase on the 2025 allocation and will help to expand disability services to meet current and future need.
The National Development Plan (NDP) provides funding of €278 million for Disability Services Capital projects over the five-year period out to 2030. This represents a doubling of capital investment for critical residential homes, respite facilities, day services, multi-disciplinary team units, and other services when compared to spend in the previous five-year period.
This substantial additional investment demonstrates the Government’s commitment to supporting Disability Services.
The detail of how the €43 million will be invested is set out in the HSE Capital Plan 2026 which has been approved by Minister Foley. The Plan takes account of commitment in the Programme for Government and Ministerial priorities as communicated to the HSE.
Minister Foley stated:
“I am delighted to announce €43 million in capital investment for much needed disability services in 2026. This represents a substantial increase of €16 million compared with 2025 and demonstrates the Government’s firm commitment to support and expand disability services. 2026 is the first of a five-year investment plan supported by €278 million in funding which I secured through the National Development Plan.
In the context of the increased investment in Disability Services, I have asked the HSE to examine a number of other disability projects which may be added to the Capital Plan. In doing so, the HSE will take into account the need for regional balance and to ensure an appropriate blend across service areas.”
Minister Higgins, stated:
“It is important that we continue to build on progress made in recent years for Disability Services and to develop a pipeline of capital works to improve disability facilities across the country. I look forward to continuing our engagement with the HSE to progress this work. I also look forward to meeting with service users and service providers to see firsthand the difference the capital funding increases are making to the lives of people with disabilities”
The primary focus will be on enhancing capital infrastructure associated with Community Based Specialist Disability Services as well as contractual commitments, investment priorities and regulatory requirements, including HIQA compliance programmes.
Funding will be directed to the following Community-Based Specialist Disability Services:
- Residential Services
- Respite Services
- Day Services
- Children’s Services
- Neurorehabilitation.
There will be funding to address infrastructural risk and climate action, ensuring high quality services are provided in accommodation which is of an appropriate regulatory standard. Funding will also be allocated to a capital project initiation appraisal and development fund to enhance the pipeline of disability capital projects in the coming years.
The HSE has been tasked with producing a multi-annual strategy for Disability Capital, in consultation with the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, to ensure this investment is targeted where it is needed most.
The strategy will focus on four key service pillars: residential care, day services for adults with disabilities, assessment and multi-disciplinary teams, and residential respite services.
ENDs
Notes to the Editor
- Some of the projects being supported to progress in 2026 include the following.
Funding to date
- Following the March 2023 transfer of disability services from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration, and Youth (DCEDIY), all Disability Capital funding provided by DCDE is ring-fenced exclusively for disability projects, with the goal of expanding and transforming disability services to meet current and future needs.
- Yearly capital allocation since the transfer of function in March 2023 is as follows
- As in previous years, one of the primary areas of 2025 capital expenditures in the disabilities sector was the De-congregation Programme: the movement of people from congregated settings to smaller (1-4 person) residential homes in the community in line with “Time to Move On”, the Government’s policy on de-congregation.
- Additional funds were utilised for the purchase, construction, and refurbishment of facilities for Children’s Services, Day Services, and Respite Facilities, as well as for fire safety, minor capital works, and infrastructural upgrades to ensure services operate safely and comply with regulations.
HSE Capital Plan 2026
- The HSE Capital Plan 2026 reflects the priorities outlined in the National Development Plan and those set out in the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024–2026. DCDE is currently engaging with the HSE to advance the development of a multi-annual Strategic Infrastructural Plan for Disability Services during 2026, which will identify the medium-term infrastructure needs for specialist disability services.
- The objectives of the current HSE Capital Plan 2026 concerning disability services include:
- Providing €43 million to support specialist community-based disability services.
- Increasing the pipeline of disability capital projects including projects that provide accommodation for disability network teams, the development of day Services facilities nationwide, the fitting out of adult and children’s residential and respite houses, and other residential projects.
- Continuing the transition of individuals from institutional settings to community-based services in line with the “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings” policy.
- Engaging with local authorities and approved housing bodies to access additional Government funding through the Capital Assistance Scheme.
- Enabling disability service delivery by providing accommodation for disability network teams, therapy, and day services.
Programme for Government Commitments
- The Programme for Government commits to developing a multi-year capital plan for investment in residential and independent living options for people with disabilities.
- The HSE has been tasked by the Department with developing a multi-annual capital strategy for disabilities in order to inform a more strategic approach to infrastructure delivery. Work on this is ongoing.
- The PFG also notes that the Government will continue to support and expand the network of respite houses for children and adults with disabilities. Capital funding will enable the refurbishment and development of modern respite centres and day service hubs.