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

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue and for the opportunity to outline the position on Sruthán House. The 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, which will empower them to live independent lives. This commitment is outlined in A Programme for a Partnership Government. It is guided by two principles, namely, equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

Respite services are an important part of the range of services supporting people with disabilities and their families. Short breaks can also provide an opportunity for individuals to meet new people, widen their social circle and gain new experiences. Respite care is crucial in helping to reduce family stress, preserve the family unit and provide stability. The need for increased respite services is acknowledged and the HSE continues to work with all service providers to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available.

As part of its ongoing service provision, the HSE will provide more than 182,500 respite nights and 32,662 day respite sessions to families in need throughout the country this year. In 2018, there was a significant improvement in respite provision, as the Deputy mentioned. An additional €10 million was provided to fund 12 new respite houses, which are up and running. This is one in each HSE CHO area and three additional houses in the greater Dublin area to respond to the high demand for respite in this area. These houses provide additional respite for families that need it. All 12 houses are now open and fully operational.

A total of €2 million of the additional money is being targeted at alternative respite services. These are practical and important solutions. Alternative respite is working well locally, with good examples of summer camps, evening and Saturday clubs having taken place, benefitting hundreds of adults and children. Further additional respite initiatives are planned for 2019 in each HSE CHO area.

With regard to Sruthán House and Louth disability services, I found out earlier from the HSE that Louth disability services are prioritising the provision of services to enhance cost efficiency and continuous quality improvement in line with the best standard practice. The residential respite service at Sruthán House will, therefore, cease operation by the end of December 2019. To facilitate this transition, Louth disability services are reviewing respite service delivery and have invited the service users be a part of this process to identify what service will best meet their individual and family needs. Louth disability services remain committed to providing services to people with physical and sensory needs and will continue to offer respite through a number of options. These include a number of respite services in different locations, such as Woodhaven House, which is a supported holiday facility in Sligo for people with MS, Cuisle, which is the Irish Wheelchair Association's national holiday centre in Roscommon and the Carmel Fallon Centre, which is the Irish Wheelchair Association's holiday centre in Dublin. Services will be provided but, of course, this will all be done in consultation with all the families of people with disabilities.

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