To ask the Minister of Health for an update on the costing exercise associated with the draft We Matter Learning Disability Service Model For Northern Ireland.

My Department undertook an analysis of Trust reported expenditure across the Learning Disability Programme of Care to understand the existing cost base, as part of work to develop the draft ‘We Matter’ Learning Disability Service Model (LDSM) and associated Service Delivery Plan (SDP). The available data indicated that expenditure on Learning Disability services increased by approximately 36% between 2018/19 and 2022/23.

My officials are currently analysing responses to the recent public consultation on the draft LDSM and associated SDP, which closed on 25 November 2025. An initial high level summary report was published on my Department’s website in January 2026, with a full analysis report expected to be published in Spring 2026.

As the Model remains in draft form, a detailed costing of its implementation has not yet been undertaken. Financial implications will be considered once the LDSM and SDP have been finalised which will inform decisions on the future configuration of Learning Disability services, including any additional investment required to support delivery. In addition, I will also wish to consider the financial implications of any relevant recommendations that may arise from the report of the Muckamore Abbey Hospital Inquiry.

Delivery of the ambitions set out in the Model will be subject to funding made available to my Department.