Acquired Brain Injury Ireland (ABI Ireland) has welcomed measures announced by Ministers Norma Foley TD and Hildegarde Naughton TD, as part of Budget 2026, including:

• €10 million to transition people with disabilities under 65 out of inappropriate nursing home placements and back to community living;
• €3 million to continue the development of Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Teams (CNRTs); and
• Additional investment to support the sustainability of organisations providing disability services.

Dr Karen Foley, Chief Executive of Acquired Brain Injury Ireland, said:

“Yesterday’s announcements marked important progress toward realising the right to rehabilitation and community living for people with disabilities. Acquired Brain Injury Ireland has long advocated for the rights of young people inappropriately placed in nursing homes, most recently since the Ombudsman’s Wasted Lives report in 2021. We welcome the Government’s clear commitment to act on this issue.”

Dr Foley continued: “We stand ready to work with Government and the HSE to help the estimated 1,200 people under 65 still living in nursing homes to move home, rebuild their lives, and realise their potential.”

ABI Ireland highlighted that people with acquired brain injury (ABI) represent the largest cohort of under 65s currently living inappropriately in nursing homes. To ensure the success of the Government’s investment, the organisation is calling for the development of a national specialist brain injury case management service, as outlined in its Pre-Budget Submission 2026.

This proposed €2 million investment would:

• Fund 20 new specialist brain injury case managers to ensure access in every county;
• Provide a single point of contact to help survivors navigate the pathway from hospital to home;
• Support families through education and coordination;
• Prevent new inappropriate placements and accelerate transitions from nursing homes; and
• Build capacity across Regional Health Areas to expand community rehabilitation services.

Recent research published by ABI Ireland, conducted by researchers at Trinity College Dublin, reinforces this model. It found that ABI Case Managers act as advocates, navigators and coordinators – the “glue” holding the rehabilitation journey together. Their work prevents unnecessary hospital or nursing home admissions, reduces service duplication, and supports families.

The study recommends:

• Recognition of case management as a core element of rehabilitation;
• Equitable national access to ABI Case Managers; and
• Development of a national case management framework to standardise training and outcomes.

Currently, ABI Ireland provides case management in 12 counties, leaving 14 counties without coverage.

Dr Foley added:

“Case management is the bridge between hospital and home, and an essential component of the neuro-rehabilitation pathway.

ABI Ireland also welcomed the investment of €3 million in Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Teams (CNRTs), noting that these interdisciplinary teams play a crucial role in supporting brain injury survivors’ journey from hospital to home. The organisation looks forward to working in partnership with CNRTs nationally to ensure continuity of rehabilitation and support for people as they adjust to life after a brain injury within their communities.