John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

28. To ask the Minister for Health the reason for the significant fall in the number of overnights with or without day respite accessed by persons with a disability in counties Carlow and Kilkenny since 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41202/19]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

This Government’s on-going priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives.

As part of its on-going service provision, this year the HSE National Service Plan set a target of over 180,000 overnight and 42,500 day respite sessions to families in need right across the country.

As part of its service provision, South East Community Healthcare are committed to ensuring an equitable and fair approach to service delivery in line with budget allocation. This includes the annual delivery of disability services and the planning of services into the future. 

The HSE and its funded agencies provide respite care to children with disabilities. Respite can occur in a variety of settings as determined by the needs of the family and within available resources. Overnight Respite Services for the parents of children with disability / complex care needs in Carlow were previously provided by Holy Angels in Carlow and St Patrick’s Centre Services in Kilkenny. These services ceased in January 2016 and November 2015 respectively.

The provision of respite services in Counties Carlow and Kilkenny, (as with other areas), has come under further pressure in recent years. There is currently increasing levels of “changing needs” due to the increase in the age of the disability population. The need for increased respite facilities is acknowledged and the HSE continues to work with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available.

As part of a €10m investment in Respite Services from the HSE National Service Plan 2019, South East Community Healthcare has delivered additional respite supports, including respite at a new adult house in Wexford; referrals for this service are accepted from all across the South East including Carlow/Kilkenny.  While some agencies in the South East are currently experiencing staffing challenges to meet the respite needs of clients that have funded respite, I am informed that the respite house in Wexford accepted Out of County referrals of 154 bed nights from 1st January 2019 to 27th June 2019.

In addition, the Respite House in Tullow,  Co. Carlow is currently going through the HQA registration process and is expected to open in due course.

To ensure the continued provision of respite services across the South East, a Task Force Group has been established to review respite services and ensure delivery in a fair and equitable way that meets the needs of the service users.

The HSE will continue to work with its funded partners to provide Disability Services, including respite, across the South East Community Healthcare area.