‘Alarming’ number of people with intellectual disabilities displaced far from their homes

Some 606 people with intellectual disabilities are currently placed in residential accommodation outside their home county, according to new data. Picture: iStock  

The number of people with intellectual disabilities placed in accommodation far from their homes by the HSE has been described as “alarming”, as it emerged that 193 such cases currently reside more than 100km from their own community.

Some 606 people with intellectual disabilities are currently placed in residential accommodation outside their home county, according to figures released by the HSE to Cork East Social Democrats TD Liam Quaide.

The numbers show that, as of the end of April 2026, just under half of placements (280) had resulted from a crisis, such as the death of a parent or primary caregiver becoming incapacitated.

The area with the largest displaced cohort is Dublin North, from where 85 people have been placed outside their home county, 14 more than 100km away.

In the Cork/Kerry region, the figure stands at 66 placed outside their home county, 38 of which resulted from an emergency situation.

In Clare, Limerick, and Tipperary, 75 residents had been placed outside their home counties, nine of whom were children.

Of the residential placements detailed, at least 305 had been living outside their own locality for more than five years.

'Gaps in HSE data' 

Mr Quaide said the figures are “alarming”, but insisted that an even greater issue is the piecemeal and inconsistent nature of the data provided on those placements, which comprise one of the most vulnerable cohorts of people in the country.

The data was released to Cork East TD Liam Quaide. Picture: Chani Anderson

For example, while most HSE regional offices replied with figures in response to Mr Quaide’s queries, the data returned was not in any consistent format.

One region — HSE Dublin South City, Kildare, and West Wicklow — was unable to return any details regarding how many people with intellectual disabilities under its aegis had been placed far from their homes.

“Unfortunately we do not have specific data in relation to residential placements at distances in excess of 100km from home county,” the authority said in response. Mr Quaide said: 

“These figures are alarming, but the real scandal is that the HSE still cannot tell us, on a consistent national basis, how far from home people with an intellectual disability are being placed, and for how long.” 

'True number may be much higher' 

He added that, given the scale of the gaps seen in the HSE’s responses, the “true number” of people living far from home “is likely to be much higher”.

Of the people who had been placed far from home for more than five years, Mr Quaide said that “a crisis placement should not become long-term exile from family and community simply because the State failed to plan and provide local services”.

Responding to queries as to whether or not placing a vulnerable cohort so far from their communities and supports would amount to best practice, a HSE spokesperson said that the body “regrets the impact this has on families, and is actively working to address this need by engaging with multiple service providers to build additional capacity”.

They said that while the HSE “makes every effort” to ensure placements are provided close to family and home supports, various other issues needed to be considered, including the availability of suitable residences “that can meet the unique and assessed needs and requirements of each individual”.