Minister Foley and Minister Higgins announce €9.5m investment in major disability projects

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Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley and Minister with special responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins today announced capital investment in major disability infrastructure to the value of €9.5m.

This funding will be used to fund projects including children’s respite services, refurbishment of residential centre and adult day services. This investment represents a strengthening of disability infrastructure and ensuring people with disabilities can access high-quality services in modern, person-centred environments close to their communities.

Earlier this year there was a targeted “call to action” by the HSE to Section 38 and Section 39 disability service providers as part of the HSE 2026 Capital Plan.

The funding forms part of the Government’s commitment under the National Development Plan (NDP) to enhancing disability services, which has earmarked €278 million for HSE disability capital projects out to 2030.

Section 38 and 39 disability service providers were asked to put forward capital projects that were already well advanced and that would align with the service needs in that location.

Three projects based in Clare and Limerick were assessed as “shovel ready”, with an estimated combined value of €1.5m.

12 further projects with an estimated combined value of over €8m were deemed well developed. These projects are based in Dublin, Cavan, Waterford, Limerick, Clare, Cork, Kerry and Galway.

Announcing the funding programme, Minister Foley, said:

“This investment demonstrates the Government’s ongoing commitment to improving the disability infrastructure to ensure specialist disability services can meet growing demand.

“Through the National Development Plan funding, we are investing €278 million in disability capital projects up to 2030. I want to people with disabilities to have access to safe, modern and accessible facilities that support independence, inclusion and quality of life. The projects being supported from the call to action will make a real difference to individuals, families and communities”

Minister Higgins welcomed the strong response from service providers:

“The high level of engagement from Section 38 and Section 39 organisations reflects both the ambition of the disability sector and the significant infrastructure needs that exist nationwide.

“These projects will help transform service delivery, enhance accessibility and improve outcomes for people with disabilities. By investing strategically in our disability infrastructure, we are supporting the delivery of person-centred services that enable people to participate fully in their communities .”

The funding programme supports the Government’s broader objective of strengthening disability services and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with demographic change and evolving service requirements.