David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this matter which I am taking on behalf of my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, who, unfortunately, is unable to attend. If I do not have all the answers to the Senator's questions, I will ask the Minister of State to provide them directly to him.

This is a very important issue and I have been given the opportunity, on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, to outline the position in regard to the provision of respite services in counties Cavan and Monaghan. The Government's ongoing priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. It is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities that will empower them to live independent lives. Respite services are an important part of the range of services that support people with disabilities and their families. As part of the ongoing service provision, this year the HSE will provide more than 182,500 respite nights and 32,662 day respite sessions to families in need across the country. 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.

In 2018, there was a significant improvement in respite. An additional €10 million was provided to fund 12 new respite houses. That is one in each HSE community healthcare organisation, CHO, area, plus an additional three houses in the greater Dublin area to respond to the very high demand for respite from the area. All 12 houses are now fully providing additional respite for families in need.

With respect to respite services in counties Cavan and Monaghan, the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has been informed by the HSE that respite services within Cavan-Monaghan disability services are currently provided as follows. The Annalee View respite centre caters for both adults and children with moderate to severe intellectual disability and associated medical conditions. It has the capacity to provide 910 adult respite beds per year. Unfortunately, due to an environmental issue at the centre, the HSE is unable to facilitate respite at this time. However, a new proposed property for respite in Cavan town has been identified. All documentation for the new proposed property for respite has been submitted to the Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA. The HSE awaits confirmation of registration from HIQA.

Steadfast House respite centre in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan, currently facilitates service users from Annalee View respite centre in Cootehill, County Cavan, during the closure and will provide overnight respite to individuals, as soon as possible. Steadfast House respite centre provides 840 respite bed nights per annum.

Cavan-Monaghan disability services currently offer a day service at the weekends for children and adults. Additional home support is available upon request and alternative respite is being explored.

St. Christopher's disability centre, Cavan, on average provides 730 adult respite beds per year. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has been advised that operational capacity at St. Christopher's is operating as normal. He wants to assure the House that the Government is committed to providing a range of accessible respite care supports for people with a disability, and to supporting their families as best as possible.