Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail)
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321. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of 12 dedicated respite houses nationally announced on 12 December 2017; the specific locations of each; the number of persons that can be accommodated in each; the estimated number of respite nights that each house will provide in a full calendar year; the capital and acquisition costs of each; the estimated annual running costs of each; the number of whole-time equivalent staff to be employed in each; if each house is operational; and if not, when each will commence providing services in tabular form. [38610/18]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Residential respite services has come under increased pressure in the past couple of years. At the same time families need access to regular planned respite, whereas the lack of respite increases demand on scarce high-cost residential services.

The additional €10 million funding provided for 2018 has made a significant improvement in respite services for people with a disability and their families. 12 additional respite houses are opening across the country. 8 are now open, and the rest are being made ready to open before the end of the year. Funding of €8 million has been allocated to open these houses, providing additional respite for families that need it.

Some €2 million of the additional funding was also allocated to provide alternative respite services. These are practical and important solutions, extended day services, summer camps and Saturday clubs and they are making a difference to families right across the country.

As the Deputy’s question refers to a service matter, I have asked the HSE to reply to her directly with regard to the specific detail she has requested.