Concern over reduction in respite care services in Cork

THE provision of respite care services available for parents and guardians of children with intellectual disabilities in Cork and Kerry (CHO 4) was raised in the Dáil by Sinn Fáin Deputy Pat Buckley.

“A reply to a parliamentary question which was submitted states that, from 2017 to Quarter 2 of 2018, service hours have gone down,” he said. “The reply states that the provision of residential respite services has come under increased pressure in recent years. It does not say weeks or days but years, so the Department has known about it for some time. We are getting the same answers over and over again but why is nothing being done? The services are being cut but the demand is increasing.”

In reply, Minister of State Finian McGrath said as part of its ongoing service provision, this year the HSE will provide more than 182,500 overnight and 42,500 day respite sessions throughout the country. “In Cork, respite services are provided by COPE, the Brothers of Charity, CoAction, St. Joseph’s Foundation and Enable Ireland,” he said. “This year community healthcare organisation (CHO 4) has been able to develop a respite house in west Cork from within existing resources. This house will open on a phased basis from next week and will be open to referrals for respite across County Cork.

“A number of alternative respite services have been very successful in Cork, with more than 800 children and adults benefiting.”

This year, he said HSE CHO 4 has provided in excess of 17,000 respite nights and 2,000 respite day services to people with a disability. More than 900 people with a disability have accessed respite services across CHO 4.