Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)

The Minister would like to thank Senator Stephenson for raising this important issue and for offering her the opportunity to respond.

Respite is a key priority area for the Department and the HSE and we have seen significant investment in respite services. Respite services can play a crucial role in delaying and-or preventing moves into full-time residential placements, preserving the family unit and supporting family stability. There has been significant focus on respite provision in recent years, with additional funding to expand respite services provided in successive budgets. Between 2021 and 2024, €35.7 million in new development funding was provided to expand respite provision. This has resulted in the addition of tens of thousands of respite sessions for children and adults with disabilities.

The Department is aware that the demand for respite outweighs the current levels of provision and is committed to working towards meeting the high levels of demand. In the national service plan 2025, additional allocation has been provided to increase the occupancy of existing respite capacity where feasible and to increase alternative respite provision, including in-home respite support hours.

The Department and the HSE are working hard to ensure that respite provision expands around the country. Last year, the Department took the opportunity to examine in closer detail the level of respite provision and availability across CHO areas. The HSE data on the national distribution of respite has shown that there are significant variances in the levels of respite being supported across different areas. Consequently, a process has been initiated with the HSE to progressively move to a situation whereby respite services are more equitably distributed across the country. It is important to note that some areas may look to provide more respite and home support to maintain people with family, thereby delaying the pursuit of residential services, and vice versa.

The HSE is also committed, through the national service plan 2025, to undertaking an audit of respite services this year. This audit will provide further insight into how respite services are allocated and managed, allowing efforts to be focused where needed.

The HSE is operating in a very competitive global market for healthcare talent. There are significant shortages of qualified healthcare professionals across the globe. The HSE and specialist disability service providers are experiencing ongoing challenges recruiting and retaining staff across a range of disciplines and grades.

Ensuring that the disability sector is fully resourced is a key priority of the Government which has been reflected in the programme for Government. To address the high staff vacancy rate during 2025 across all disability services, the HSE is continuing to carry out sustained workforce recruitment and retention initiatives. These initiatives will support the HSE and service providers to ensure existing services are utilised to their fullest extent.

The Senator mentioned locations in Kilkenny. I do not know if she flagged when she put down this Commencement Matter that she required some detail. If she sends us an email about what exactly she is looking for, we will endeavour to get that for her.