Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 May 2015
381. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 15 April 2015, the number of home-based respite hours granted in County Wexford, in 2012, 2013 and 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19775/15]
View answer382. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 539 of 15 April 2015, if the Health Service Executive collects data on the number of respite hours provided in each county every year; the amount of money spent directly on respite services in each county; the number of daytime respite hours provided; the amount of home-based respite, as opposed to centre-based respite, granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19776/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 381 and 382 together.
The vision for the Health Service Executive's (HSE) Disability Services Programme is to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services including respite care to enhance their quality of life.
Respite care for children and adults with disabilities is provided by the HSE directly in some instances, or by agencies funded by the HSE to provide services on its behalf. In many instances respite services are part of the overall suite of services provided by voluntary service providers to people with disabilities under their service level agreements with the HSE. The HSE remains committed to working with all voluntary disability service providers to ensure that all of the resources available for specialist disability services, including respite services, are used in the most efficient and effective manner possible.
The HSE’s Social Care Operational Plan for 2015 aims to provide 190,000 overnight stays in centre-based respite services to almost 5,300 people. The HSE is also committed to continuing to explore methods of community respite care as an alternative to centre-based respite care, including advancing the Host Family Support Model.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the HSE.
