Minister 'shocked' at lack of local respite services

The Disabilities Minister says the provision of respite services in Cavan as currently set out is not “fair or equitable”.

Minister Anne Rabbitte was speaking in the Dáil after questions about the lack of respite services across the county and wider region.

On a recent visit to the region where she engaged with service providers and users, the Minister said she was surprised to hear respite is only provided on alternating weeks for adults and children.

“To be honest with the Deputy, I was quite shocked to hear that. I was quite shocked to hear that children and adults alternatively have only one house in the entire county to deliver respite. It is not what I would deem a fair or equitable access to services.”

The Annalee View centre in Cootehill is the only respite facility in Cavan. Adult services are also provided at Steadfast House in Carrickmacross.

Local Sinn Féin TD Pauline Tully had called on Minister Rabbitte to outline any plans for an expansion of services in this region as she is contacted regularly about shortcomings.

“I receive many queries about respite from families and they are at the end of their tether. These are families who have children sometimes with disabilities that are quite complex.”

She also claimed some adult service users have been on the social housing waiting list for up to 10 years with no supports and living with elderly parents. That’s despite them being capable of living independently.