Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1793. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the provision of €5 million funding for nine additional respite houses announced on 23 February 2021; the location of each respite house; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15455/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives.

In Budget 2021, I committed to provide funding to the HSE to develop nine additional respite services across the country. Last month, I was delighted to announce St Gabriel’s Children’s Respite Service, in Limerick, as the first of these services.

€5m funding has been provided to the HSE to develop and open the additional 9 dedicated centre-based respite services across all Community Healthcare Areas this year. I am engaging with the HSE on this matter on an ongoing basis and have requested the HSE to give the utmost priority to putting these new facilities and services in place without delay. The aim is to provide me with regular reports so I can ensure this additional funding is directly targeted at the people who need it most.

I will update my Oireachtas colleagues on the location of these services as they become known.