Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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371. To ask the Minister for Health the number of centre-based respite nights provided to persons with disabilities to date in 2017; the way in which this compares against target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41488/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The provision of respite services has come under additional pressure in the past number of years. More children and adults are now seeking access to respite and the “changing needs” of people with a disability are also having an impact, as they, along with the rest of the population, live longer lives. The Programme for Partnership Government recognises the need for respite services to be developed further and I am committed to ensuring that this happens.

There are a number of factors impacting on respite capacity. A significant number of respite beds are regularly utilised to allow unplanned emergency admissions, leading to the number of available respite nights being down against planned activity. The regulatory and policy context has also changed the manner in which residential and respite services is provided, as Agencies comply with regulatory standards. Capacity has generally decreased with requirements for personal and appropriate space. Beds can no longer be used for respite where residents go home at weekends or for holidays. Implementation of the national policy on congregated settings is also reducing available capacity.

In the HSE's Social Care Operational Plan for 2017, 6,320 people with a Disability are expected to avail of centre based respite services totalling 182,506 overnights. Based on existing levels of service and in addition to the centre-based respite service, it’s planned that between 2,000 and 2,500 persons will avail of respite services such as holiday respite or occasional respite with a host family. Furthermore, the HSE has been funded to provide 185 new emergency residential placements and new home support and in-home respite for 210 additional people who require emergency supports has been allocated. This marks a significant change in the way that respite services are delivered.

The most recent available data from the HSE indicates that 81,836 overnight respite sessions were accessed in the first six months of this year, compared to 90,861 in the first six months of 2016. The HSE is also developing an e-Health case management system which will facilitate tracking of all residential and home support/emergency respite services across all Community Health Organisations.

The HSE Social Care Division has also committed to further developing home sharing as a person centred and community inclusive type of support for people with disabilities involving the development of an Implementation Plan in 2017. This will address the priority recommendations of the National Expert Group Report on Home Sharing published in 2016. It will be led by the national designated disability lead in this area.

The HSE continues to work with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available.