Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 19 Oct 1999

Vol. 509 No. 4

Written Answers. - Respite Care.

Tony Gregory

Question:

217 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of respite care for children with severe behavioural problems; and if special provision will be made for St. Paul's special school, Dublin 9 to provide a respite service. [20311/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

I assume the Deputy is referring to children with an intellectual disability and those with autism. The provision of services to children and adults with an intellectual disability and those with autism is the responsibility of the health boards in the first instance. There has been a substantial investment in the development of these services in recent years. Particular attention has been paid to the development of support services, including respite services, so that individuals can continue to live in the community for as long as possible.

Respite care is provided in a number of ways. In some cases it is provided in a residential setting. It is also provided by host families through the various "Share a Break" schemes. The home support services can also provide shorter respite breaks for carers. These services enable agencies and health boards to respond to individual family's needs in a flexible manner and with a package of care which is designed in consultations with the carers.

Additional revenue funding of £12 million is being provided in 1999, with a full year cost of £18 million in 2000, for the development of new services. This additional funding is providing 80 new designated respite places in addition to the development of new residential, day and other support services for both children and adults with an intellectual disability and those with autism. The respite care services will continue to be expanded and account has been and will continue to be taken of this need in the allocation of additional resources for the provision of new residential facilities and the enhancement of other schemes which assist families in this area.

A number of children with an intellectual disability or autism require more intensive or specialist intervention on an ongoing or intermittent basis. This includes children who present with challenging behaviour. This would in the main include specialist and multi-disciplinary support on both an outreach and in-service basis, and access to planned respite breaks to assist their families. Planning for the needs of this group is included by the health boards in their overall consideration of the needs in their region. Of the additional revenue funding provided this year, £1.5 million has been allocated for provision of specialist and additional support services, primarily for both children and adults in this group. This funding is being allocated for specific projects in a number of health board regions. In addition, both children and adults with challenging behaviour will also benefit from the additional funding provided for increased day, residential and respite services this year.

St. Paul's Hospital and special school currently provides educational, residential, respite and day services for children with autism. I understand from the Eastern Health Board that following discussions with St. Paul's, it has been agreed that a review of the services provided by them will shortly be undertaken. This review is being undertaken in the context of the overall development of services, including respite services for children with autism, in the board's region.