Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children. I thank Deputies Naughten and Burke for raising this matter. I appreciate that the Acting Chairman, Deputy Michael Kitt, is also interested in it. I am pleased to have an opportunity to outline the position with regard to respite services for people with disabilities. I wish to reaffirm the Government's commitment to the national disability strategy. We will continue to pursue the long-term goals and objectives of the strategy in the coming years, in partnership with all the stakeholders. Our commitment in the areas of disability and mental health is consistent. Approximately €1.6 billion is spent by the health services on disability programmes, including residential, day care, respite, assessment and rehabilitation services, each year. Despite the current economic climate, the HSE's national service plan for 2010 makes provision for additional funding of €19.5 million to meet the anticipated growth in demand for disability services in 2010. The Government appreciates the valuable contribution the voluntary sector makes to the provision of services, including respite care, to people with intellectual disabilities. Respite services are being reviewed by the HSE on an ongoing basis, and the majority of Local Health Offices have reported that services are being maintained. Over 4,500 people with intellectual disability avail of respite services nationwide and only a small number of service providers have taken the decision to cut these services. In all areas, HSE disability managers are working closely with agencies to maintain respite service provision at 2009 levels as far as possible, thereby ensuring that those with the most urgent need for respite services are prioritised.

See this speech in context