€2.4M for local housing projects for people with disabilities

Over €5.9M has been approved by the HSE for projects to provide residential accommodation in the community for people with disabilities who have been residing in institutional congregated settings.

The funding is for projects in the Community Healthcare area of Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Monaghan, Sligo.

The allocation under the Capital Developments Scheme follows a submission to the Department of Health in June 2015. That saw a €100m five-year programme approved to provide residential accommodation in the community for residents of institutional congregated settings.

The priority to date has been on the purchase of houses in the community and the adaptation of these houses to suit the requirements of residents moving from congregated settings.

In Cavan, three residential dwellings were purchased and are being renovated in Kilnavara, Creighan and Carrickaboy. €2.3 million was approved for the three projects.

This programme was somewhat delayed due to the impact of COVID-19 but continued in 2021 with an added goal of working closer with local authorities and approved housing bodies to avail of other public funding streams.

HSE head of Disability Services for this region, Edel Quinn, said: “The allocation of capital funding to support the development of community living models of service is very welcome. Good progress is being made with the required renovations and developments at the various properties. Disability Services, working closely with colleagues in HSE Estates/Property Management, aim to have high quality, bespoke homes provided to residents, which meet their needs to best effect. Community living gives people with disabilities the opportunity to live in a home of their choice, the chance to become part of their community and to be supported to live their best lives.”

Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith welcomed the allocation to the local projects.

“These excellent projects offer community living to people with disabilities. It gives people the opportunity to live in a home of their choice. They will also have the chance to become a part of their community and can live their best lives.”