Mother facing eviction denied respite for disabled teens

Mother facing eviction denied emergency residential care for disabled teens

Updated / Friday, 13 Nov 2026 20:04

A Dublin mother who is being evicted from her home with her two severely autistic teenage sons says the Health Service Executive (HSE) has repeatedly told her that emergency residential care is unavailable.

It comes despite Government assurances made last week that emergency placements for people with disabilities would be funded.

Yvonne Nolan, her two 16-year-old sons who are severely autistic and non-verbal, and her daughter are facing eviction from their home in Dublin next Tuesday.

The boys have severe and complex needs, and their home has been specifically adapted to keep them safe.

"I've like bulletproof, shatterproof windows upstairs. The electrics, the locks: you'll see where you're going and you won't be able to get out.

"Everything has to be secured to keep them safe based on their needs," she said.

Dublin City Council has offered the family a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre as emergency accommodation following the eviction. But the HSE has said there is no residential or respite care available for the boys.

"I got a response to say there's no capacity for a residential place. I want my boys to be safe, secure and happy. This (home) will keep them safe and secure.

"There is no other alternative. Anything else is dangerous for them.

"They've come back to say no capacity for residential and also no capacity for emergency respite.

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"No capacity for respite that was approved for me earlier this year that would give me some time to get things done.

"I have to clear out the house, and we have to move and I was left at that - no support.

"So you're just left at this cliff edge and they're waiting for you to fall over.

"There have been so many emails, calls, just trying to like pleading, you know, you're begging for help.

"And it's a very matter of fact response, a letter to say 'no capacity, we'll keep you updated on progress', knowing that next Tuesday there's no home here for the boys to come back to."

Last week, it was revealed that the HSE had ordered a halt to new disability residential placements requiring additional funding for the rest of the year.

Minister for Children and Disability Norma Foley said she had received assurances that all emergency placements would be funded as needed.

Senator Tom Clonin says the system is completely dysfunctional.

"It is very reactive so there is no planning all of the HSE healthcare organisations, all of the regions, they know about disabled citizens in their area but they make no plans for them and they go into crisis.

"That is what's happened here with Yvonne and her boys," he said.

The HSE says it has been engaging with the family and remains committed to supporting them.