The HSE has set out plans on Respite Development Programme for 2018 which will see an €10m additional funding for respite for people with a disability and their families
The package includes €5m for an additional respite house or additional capacity in each of the nine CHO areas which will support 450 individuals in a full year and 251 in 2018
A further €3m for additional respite houses in the greater Dublin areas (CHOs 7, 8 and 9) to support an extra 225 individuals in a full year and 143 in 2018
It also includes €2m for alternative models of respite to support 250 individuals with a disability
On Friday 27th April the HSE confirmed the status of its delivery of the Government-funded Respite Development Programme for 2018.
The HSE is acutely aware of the pressures faced by people with a disability, their families and carers and very much welcomes the additional funding from Government which is enabling much needed additional respite services to be provided right across the country.
The additional investment of €10m is resourcing new centre based residential respite and alternative respite services for people with a disability and their families/carers.
This investment is entirely additional to the respite services the HSE has already committed to provide as part of its National Service Plan 2018 which targets providing more than 42,500 day respite places and 182,500 overnights for more than 6,320 people with a disability who avail of these services.
The implementation of this new respite programme across the nine Community Healthcare Organisations (CHOs) is well advanced. Each CHO, working with a national oversight group, has put in place a comprehensive plan to develop these additional respite services in their area and tailor services towards local need. The following additional capacity is being created;
·An additional respite house in each of the nine CHO areas which will support 450 individuals in a full year and 251 in 2018 – €5m
·Additional respite houses in the greater Dublin areas (CHOs 7, 8 and 9) to support a further 225 individuals in a full year and 143 in 2018 – €3m
·Alternative models of respite to support 250 individuals with a disability – €2m
To date, a number of new residential (centre based) respite facilities have come on stream in Kerry, North County Dublin, Athlone and South Tipp with access to additional alternative community-based respite places in the Mid West and CHO 7.
The infographic below sets out the additional capacity coming on stream across the country in 2018.
Respite services are provided by the HSE, funded service providers and contracted private providers. Respite is provided to people with disabilities through overnight, short-term or holiday stays in an approved centre. Alternative and innovate respite services are also being provided and include Home Sharing, Saturday Club and extended day services.
