Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 5 October 2023

Public Accounts Committee

Health Service Executive: Financial Statements 2023

9:30 am

Mr. David Walsh:

Respite nights went up from 131,000 overnights and 28,000 day-only sessions in 2022 to nearly 77,000 overnights and 21,000 day-only sessions in quarter 2 of 2023 alone. They are increasing. The Deputy may want to make a point on decongregation. There are delays in getting people into those homes and we are behind this year on where we want to get to. Our target for the year was 73 people and while we should be at about 50 now, we are currently at 40. That is due to a range of issues, including recruitment of staff, but principally the properties themselves and getting them ready.