Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
22. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to provide respite services for disabled people and children with disabilities and their families in County Cork. [15564/23]
View answerThe Minister of State, Anne Rabbitte T.D., and the Health Service Executive, recognise that respite services provide valuable supports to families across the country. With regard to CHO 4 in particular, I am advised that there are regional children’s and adults respite fora in place.
A Regional Children’s Respite Forum was established in 2022. The Forum Committee manages referrals and respite service provision in the Cork area. Children up to the age of 18 years with a disability, who are in receipt of services from a Children’s Disability Network Team (CDNT) in Cork Kerry Community Healthcare, can apply for respite and/or home support services. Applications are reviewed, assessed and approved based on agreed access criteria.
In Cork, overnight respite services for children under 18 years of age are delivered by a range of organisations namely, Cope Foundation, Enable Ireland, St. Josephs Foundation, CoAction and the Brothers of Charity. There is also a number of sessions of day respite provided to children which consists of centre based day and outreach services.
A Regional Adults Respite Forum is also in place. In Cork, adult overnight respite services are provided for adults over 18 years and delivered by a range of organisations namely , Cope Foundation, Enable Ireland, St. Josephs Foundation, CoAction, Abode, Praxis Care, Rehabcare and the Brothers of Charity.
