About NASS

National Ability Supports System (NASS)

The National Ability Support System (NASS)

NASS was established in 2019 and replaces two legacy systems the National Intellectual Disability Database (NIDD) and the National Physical and Sensory Disability Database (NPSDD).

Who should be registered?

All individuals who receive or require a HSE-funded disability service due to an intellectual disability, or a persistent physical, sensory, neurological, learning, autism spectrum, and/or speech/language disability arising from disease, disorder or trauma, should be registered on NASS. This is a similar approach to that adopted by other areas of the health service.

Data collected include:

demographic details
socio-economic information
use of services day, residential provision, respite, specialist supports, and services and supports to assist with daily living such as Personal Assistant or home support.
unmet need for these services.

NASS Advisory Committee

The aim of the NASS Advisory Committee is to advise on the continuing development of the NASS to ensure complete, accurate and timely data on HSE-funded disability services nationally. The Committee includes representatives from:

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Chair)
Health Service Executive (HSE)
Health Research Board (HRB)
National Disability Authority (NDA)
Non-statutory sector
Advocacy groups
Other relevant bodies.

Other stakeholders may be invited or co-opted for periods of time as appropriate.

NASS information leaflet (plain English)

NASS information leaflet outlines what information is collected, how it is used and an individual’s rights in relation to their data. There is also an Irish Sign Language (ISL) version, which can be seen by clicking on video to the right.

NASS information leaflet (plain English)

NASS information leaflet (easy to read)

The easy to read information leaflet supplements the NASS information leaflet (plain Enghish)

NASS information leaflet

NASS data collection form

The NASS data collection form provides an overview of the information that can be recorded on the system.

NASS data collection form

Request NASS data

For researchers, and all others requiring data, please complete the National Health Information Systems (NHIS) data request form and accept the terms and conditions for use of NASS data.

The form is a PDF in editable format and when filled out can be returned to: nass@hrb.ie

Data Request Form

NASS training

If your service provides HSE funded disability services, it is very important that you participate in NASS so that there is a complete overview of the service use and need of persons with disability in Ireland.

To participate in NASS, please request training by contacting Mary O’Gorman at mogorman@hrb.ie

For further information, please contact NASS@hrb.ie