Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Breathnach and O'Dowd for raising this very important issue because it gives me the opportunity to outline the position on the need for respite care for children, young adults, and ageing adults in the community in Louth. I want to make it very clear that this Government’s ongoing priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities that will empower them to live independent lives, provide them with greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

The provision of respite services has come under additional pressure in the past number of years. I accept that point. An increasing number of children and adults are now seeking access to respite, and the changing needs of people with a disability are also having an impact as they, along with the rest of the population, are living longer lives. The HSE acknowledges, as do I, the need for additional respite for adults and children with intellectual disabilities and the difficulty experienced by families with regard to the lack of respite places available. The HSE is working with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available.

To support these alternative ways of providing respite, funding has been provided to the HSE to provide 185 new emergency residential places and new home support and in-home respite for 210 additional people who require emergency supports has been allocated. The HSE’s social care operational plan for 2017 aims to provide 182,000 overnight stays in centre-based respite services, in addition to 41,000 day respite sessions.

HSE Louth disability services have recently received a draft costing proposal submitted by a local service provider. The nature of the proposal is for the provision of a residential respite service for young adults with complex needs and challenging behaviour. No discussion has been had with the service provider regarding the costings as received for the proposed provision of a respite house that the service provider is considering developing in the Louth area. The HSE has confirmed in local discussions with the service provider that it is not in a position to give assurances to any provider regarding the independent commissioning of such a service outside procurement. The service provider was advised that if the organisation were to proceed to develop same, it would be the organisation's decision to do so.

I emphasise that further discussion is ongoing at CHO 8 level regarding the emerging need for additional respite services and the options to be developed to meet these needs. The HSE has advised that additional funding would be required for the development of respite services in Louth, but there is a problem with regard to that. As Minister of State, I intend to seek additional funding for residential and respite services as part of the 2018 Estimates process.

Only yesterday, I had a meeting with the Taoiseach on the social service plan for 2018. This item was at the top of our agenda.

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