Press release
Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte outlines additional respite provision for 2021
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Health
Published on
Last updated on
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability Anne Rabbitte today announced increased alternative respite being provided this year, which will enhance support for service users and their families as part of HSE response to living with COVID-19.
This initiative builds on a government commitment to develop a new centre-based respite facility in each CHO area, 9 in total, to meet the specific needs and priorities within the CHO at a full year cost of cost of €5.5m.
Minster Rabbitte said:
"I am delighted to see such a wide variety of alternative respite being delivered to children and adults with a disability.
"In Budget 2021, the government provided €5.5m for the development of a new centre-based respite facility in each CHO area, to meet the specific needs and priorities within the CHO. I was proud to announce the progress on each of these centres recently, 8 of which are expected to open this year, and the remaining centre will open in early 2022.
"I was also keen to make sure that that the full year allocation was available from January 2021. This allowed for time-related savings to be used on a once off basis to enhance existing respite provision or to provide alternative and outreach respite.
"My goal is to ensure that the full allocation made available from January 2021 is used to enhance respite provision."
She concluded:
"I have met with many service users, families, and providers, and know how important respite can be for relieving pressure and increasing quality of life. I hope this announcement will highlight the great work carried out by the HSE and service providers in a very challenging time, and in line with public health guidance."
Alternative respite can be provided in the form of innovative in-home supports, sports or summer camps, holiday, or hotel breaks, and much more, and provides a welcome break or change to service users and eases pressure on families.
Tailored services are provided for service users based on priority need. Services include items such as bespoke holidays, supports for participation in mainstream programmes, Home Share Respite, and other person-centred respite programmes.
Services are provided on a priority needs basis and the following table outlines the broad range of services available in each CHO area, including but limited to:
New respite centre opening: Q1 2022
Serving the Sligo-Leitrim area:
Alternative respite:
New respite centre opening: Q3 2021
Opening in Galway East, delivering 225 bed nights in 2021:
Alternative respite:
New respite centre opened: Q2 2021
St Gabriel's, a service for children with complex support needs commenced in May 2021:
Alternative respite:
New respite centre opening: Q4 2021
Serving adults in Cork region:
Alternative respite:
New respite centre opening: Q4 2021
The service for adults based in Kilkenny:
Alternative respite:
New respite centre opening: Q4 2021
The new respite service for adults based in Glenageary Co Dublin:
Alternative respite:
New respite centre opening: Q4 2021
The centre will provide respite for children and will be based in Kildare:
Alternative respite:
New respite centre opening: Q3 2021
A new respite service catering for adults located in Offaly:
Alternative respite:
New respite centre opening: Q3 2021
Respite service for children in “The Hamlet” based in Swords, Co Dublin:
Alternative respite: