Disability residential supports provide homes in the community for adults with disabilities.
Residential supports enable disabled people to:
- live in a home that suits their needs
- be part of their local community
- enjoy everyday life
Disability services work with local authorities to plan housing and support for people who need them.
Residential supports are provided by voluntary organisations, private providers and the HSE. The HSE funds the care and support services. The local authorities provide houses.
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) inspects and regulates disability residential supports. HIQA makes sure the services are safe, run properly and provide high-quality care and support.
Every Integrated Healthcare Area (IHA) offers its own supports. Contact the disability services manager at your local IHA office. They can tell you about the residential supports provided in your area.
You may also need to apply to your local housing authority to join the housing list. The disability services manager can give you information on how to do this.
You can also get information about housing and support services at Home and Support Hub.
Who can get residential supports
A person may be eligible for residential supports if they are age 18 or older and have:
- a significant intellectual disability
- a complex physical disability
- a sensory disability - such as being deaf, hard of hearing, blind or visually impaired
- autism with an intellectual disability or complex behavioural issues
The person is also not able to:
- live independently in the community, even with support
- continue living at home
How to apply for residential supports
The disability services manager at your local IHA office can tell you about the residential supports in your area and explain how to apply.
You may apply for residential supports at any time, even if you do not need them straight away.
We use a system called the disability support application management tool (DSMAT) to look at your needs. We have a list of everyone who applies and is waiting for a place to live.
We use DSMAT to prioritise applications. We base priority on a person's level of need, not on when they applied.
There is high demand for residential supports in most areas. Being on a waiting list does not guarantee you residential supports.
Contact your local IHA office
Check your health region for your local IHA office.