Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this question and giving me the opportunity to address it. Seaview Respite House was closed until January 2021 but it has reopened and Rehab has the contract to deliver care there. It is open only five days a week and I would like to see it open seven days a week in the future because respite is such a crucial part and cornerstone of supporting families. Drumboe Respite House is a centre based in Stranorlar, County Donegal. It provides services including respite for adults and children with disabilities. It is run by the HSE. The service operates at capacity but provides ongoing emergency residential care.

Before I arrived, I made contact with the HSE in the community healthcare organisation, CHO, 1 area to discuss respite services. With regard to Drumboe Respite House, I am assured that accommodation for some of the residents who were there long term, as opposed to in a phase of respite, residential accommodation is being sought. This will be looked after during the week. The service will become a full-time respite centre. Until now, some people stayed longer than on a temporary basis. This is being addressed as we speak.

A review was carried out of respite services in the CHO 1 area. In budget 2021 it was determined we would open one new respite centre in each CHO area. It was determined as part of the review of the CHO 1 area that this would not happen in Donegal because there was no need. What was needed were time savings and the allocation of funding. The properties are there but the services need to be delivered differently. A respite house is being placed in the Sligo and Leitrim area for children with disabilities. This is to ensure the CHO area in its entirety has a decent complement of respite to support the families the Deputy is speaking about.

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