St Michael’s House supports the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers’ Budget 2027 submission. The National Federation represents organisations that provide services and supports to people with disabilities.
We are calling on the Government and the HSE to continue investing in disability services so that people with disabilities can get the support they need to live good lives in their communities.
Many people are waiting for services
There are still many people with disabilities who are waiting for important services and supports.
Children and young people
More than 20,000 Assessments of Need are overdue. An Assessment of Need helps to identify the supports a child may need. More than 8,600 children are waiting for their first appointment with a Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT).
We also need to:
Recruit and keep staff in CDNTs.
Provide more suitable school places.
Start planning early for young people as they move into adult life.
Support young people to access education, training and employment.
Adults
Many adults with disabilities are also waiting for the right supports.
About 1,300 people still live in large group settings, rather than in their own homes in the community.
More than 1,200 people under 65 are living in nursing homes because the right supports are not available.
2,042 more residential places are needed.
3,482 adults need therapeutic supports.
Almost 2,800 day service places need additional supports.
More than 1,200 children and adults need overnight respite.
More than 1,600 people are living with a main family carer who is over 70.
What do people need?
People with disabilities should be able to access the supports they need to live their lives and take part in their communities.
This includes:
Getting assessments and supports on time.
Access to health and dental services.
Having the right therapy and clinical supports.
Having choices about where to live.
Having opportunities for education and employment.
Getting support as their needs change.
Having choices about day supports and retirement.
Access to respite and short breaks.
Supporting disability organisations
Disability organisations also need the right funding to provide and develop services. We welcomed the funding provided to support organisations in Budget 2026.
However, organisations continue to face increasing costs.
These include:
Staff and pension costs.
Agency staff costs.
Higher insurance and other running costs.
Technology and transport costs.
Building maintenance and upgrades.
Meeting new regulations and standards.
The cost of providing more support as people's needs change.
We need funding that reflects the real cost of providing good-quality, rights-based services.
What are we asking for in Budget 2027?
The National Federation is calling on the Government to focus on three areas.
1. Address the need for services
We are asking for:
The planned 222 new multidisciplinary team posts for adult disability services.
280 new residential places, including more than the 72 places planned in Budget 2026.
More respite and alternative respite services for children and adults with intellectual disability and autism.
2. Support disability organisations
We are asking for funding that helps organisations provide stable and sustainable services.
This should include support for organisations facing significant financial pressures and funding that covers the real cost of providing services.
3. Make it easier to develop new services
We need to make it easier for organisations to develop new homes and services in local communities.
This includes:
Better access to funding for housing.
More support for developing community-based homes.
Funding that keeps pace with inflation.
Progress towards longer-term funding for disability services.
Funding for both staff costs and other costs involved in providing services.
Working together
St Michael’s House believes that everyone should have the opportunity to live a full life and be part of their community. The Government, HSE and voluntary disability organisations all have a role to play in making this happen.
We are proud to support the National Federation’s Budget 2027 submission and will continue to work with people with disabilities, families, staff and our partners to improve disability services and support people to live the lives they choose.
Easy Read information and printable infographic
We want this information to be accessible to everyone.
Easy Read information about the Budget 2027 submission is available for people who prefer information in a simpler format.
A printable infographic is also available, highlighting the key messages and the supports that are needed for people with disabilities and their families.