Dr. Aoife O'Donohue:

Regarding alternative respite, we are looking at all capacity across respite. We work closely with section 38 and 39 organisations and private providers. We are expanding the development of the home-sharing care model, which is a model of a home-from-home experience for adults and children. We are also working in partnership and giving opportunities to children and adults on the basis of their will and preference. If they want to be engaged with sport, dance or other mainstream opportunities, they will have access to them. We are also looking at the community amenities required to support those alternative options. Parents are looking for a myriad of options, as Ms Queally alluded to earlier, so we are looking at expanding across all models.

We look at research in all areas, such as what is best practice in home-sharing, for example. We looked at international best practice and clinical guidance. We always look at what is done, what we are doing and how we can improve our practice.