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

I thank Deputies Denis Naughten, Eugene Murphy and Fitzmaurice for raising this very important issue and for giving me the opportunity to respond.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide 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. This year, €1.9 billion has been allocated to the HSE's disability services programme. This is funding the provision of a wide and complex range of services and supports to people with disabilities, including the provision of home support packages and respite services, within available resources. Respite can occur in a variety of settings for any length of time, depending on the needs of the individual, the family and available resources. In recent years, there have been positive changes in accessibility standards in Ireland that now present a greater range of choice and options for people with disabilities seeking a holiday or respite. Consequently, there has been a shift in best practice approaches. This is reflected in current HSE policy - Time to Move on from Congregated Settings: A Strategy for Community Inclusion - and Sláintecare.

In line with this, Irish Wheelchair Association has decided to transition its holiday service in the west to provide accessible hotel holidays into the future, and to move away from its holiday facility at Cuisle, County Roscommon. Cuisle requires major capital development in respect of fire upgrade works estimated to be in the order of €1.5million. The Irish Wheelchair Association has indicated that this level of capital funding is not available within its current resources. Notwithstanding the requirement to ensure regulatory standards are maintained, the HSE has confirmed to Irish Wheelchair Association that this level of capital investment is not considered viable in the context of other potential alternative service options and models from which to deliver respite services.

The Irish Wheelchair Association is planning to provide a wider range of choice to people with disabilities seeking to take a supported respite holiday in the west by partnering with accessible hotels. This new and innovative service will commence in March 2020 in conjunction with the HSE. The Irish Wheelchair Association has been operating comparable hotel holiday breaks in Kilkenny since 2018 and has received positive feedback across the board from guests. Some 99% of guests said that they would return. This service was also shortlisted for an Irish Healthcare Centre award in 2019. The Irish Wheelchair Association hopes that in the coming years, its accessible hotel holiday service will expand to key destinations across the country.

The move to the new holiday service will mean that the Cuisle buildings will not open in 2020. The Irish Wheelchair Association acknowledges the contribution of staff at Cuisle for their contribution to the respite service in the west. Where possible, the Irish Wheelchair Association will offer redeployment opportunities to staff and is engaging with local staff members and their representatives to ensure minimum impact.

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