Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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334. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the development of a formal policy on respite, including agreed access and prioritisation criteria, as promised in the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024–2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26805/24]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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335. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the promised respite investment plan; when will the plan be published; if the plan will focus on respite for persons with disabilities; if not, it will also include respite for older persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26806/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 334 and 335 together.

The Action Plan for Disability Service 2024-2026 is a plan for increasing capacity in and access to disability services. The plan outlines actions for the period 2024-2026 under three key areas – providing better access to services, maximising impact of service delivery and improved planning and management through better information and systems.

Actions pertaining to respite services are –

A7.1 Build the capacity for overnight and alternative respite; and

A7.2 Prepare a working paper on respite provision.

Already additional capacity for respite will be delivered by way of additional funding provided in Budget 2024. New development funding of €15m (full year €25m) is being allocated to ensure provision continues to expand significantly across the country with proposals sought to address increasing centre-based capacity, providing new centre-based capacity, increase day/alternative respite options, etc. This process is being managed by the HSE.

The Department is preparing a working paper on respite provision.

At national level, a Monitoring Group has been set up to review progress with the Action Plan twice-yearly. The Monitoring Group is chaired at Ministerial level and membership includes representatives from relevant stakeholders such as Disabled Persons’ Organisations, provider umbrella bodies, and the National Disability Authority. The focus of its work will be to review progress and identify emerging risks or difficulties, in particular those affecting major items in the Action Plan, or where delivery is well off course. Where appropriate and relevant, the Group may make recommendations on how risks or difficulties can be addressed.

I intend to make available information on the significant investment in Specialist Community-Based Disability Respite Services, demonstrating the respite provision that is being supported across communities.

Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party)
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336. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update in relation to the 21 actions for CDNT retention and recruitment as part of the HSE’s Roadmap for Service Improvement 2023-2026, Disability Services for Children and Young People; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26815/24]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.