Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1053. To ask the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to prioritise in the Budget 2026 the chronic shortage of respite beds in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48128/25]

Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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Increasing the provision of respite services is a key priority area for Government and the HSE, and there has been significant investment in respite services over the course of the last number of years, however I am conscious much more remains to be done.

In Budget 2025, a total of €3.2 billion was allocated for HSE Disability Services, which includes spending on respite services.

I am conscious that demand for respite services is far larger than the available supply and as Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, I am determined to increase provision of respite across all counties.

Consideration of specialist disability service and funding requirements for Budget 2026 is currently ongoing. The Department of Children, Disability and Equality is engaging extensively with the Department of Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation and with the Health Service Executive as part of this process.

Confirmation and further information on funding to be provided in Budget 2026 will be made public following the announcement of the Budget, later this year.