Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 April 2026
130. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality to urgently address the huge shortage of respite beds in Kerry, where families are being allocated respite and not receiving same due to lack of availability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28997/26]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. I am acutely aware of the demand for respite services in Kerry and I am informed by HSE South West Disability Services that on receipt of funding, the Region has been in a position to significantly invest in respite services in recent years. HSE South West Disability Services continues to invest in respite services, to proactively seek opportunities for new developments and alternative respite models, utilising all available funding to provide respite services for children and adults who require them.
Kerry residential respite services for children aged between 6 and 18 years of age is delivered by St. John of God Services. There are two residential respite houses, one in North Kerry and one in South Kerry. Kerry residential respite services for adults who are aged 18 years to 65 years (at the age of entry) is delivered in two respite houses, one in North Kerry and one in South Kerry. These are also 7 historical respite beds provided by Kerry Parents and Friends Association (KPFA) which support adults attending KPFA services.
Respite is a vital part of the continuum of services for families, potentially helping to prevent out-of-home full-time residential placements, preserving the family unit, and supporting family stability. Meeting ongoing demand for centre-based respite continues to be a challenge, reflecting wider constraints in the housing market.
Where funding is provided for centres, additional time is often required to bring facilities to a standard that will meet regulations. Despite this, there are continuous efforts to add to overnight capacity in Kerry and in the meantime, alternative respite options are explored as the HSE is committed to expanding respite provision in the area.
As a result, there are a number of recent developments in respite services in Kerry that I can share with the Deputy.
• A weekend club for children has commenced in Kerry. This club provides respite to approximately twenty children on a rotational fortnightly basis. Families are free to choose a morning or afternoon session which lasts for approximately three hours. Additionally, a number of families have been provided with bespoke respite arrangements to support them in response to specific challenges.
• I am informed by the HSE that 75 packages providing 96 hours of outreach support per year have been fully allocated since February 2026 in Kerry.
• In addition, funding approval was recently received for Kerry Social Farming to deliver Alternative Respite Support to 100 people in Co. Kerry. This includes 87 individuals already on their waiting list as well as those currently availing of social farming.
• Sailing into Wellness is an organisation based in Kinsale and during the summer holidays their service is extended to a base in Fenit, Co. Kerry. They work with children by providing therapeutic sailing opportunities for children with disabilities. Weekly rotational respite will be provided for children aged 12 years and over. The service will be available to an estimated sixteen children in Cork and eight children in Kerry during the summer holidays.
• I understand the HSE is also engaging with the GAA in respect of potential joint Cúl Camps in summer 2026.
In circumstances where families are experiencing particular challenges, the HSE South West Disability Team may facilitate bespoke in home respite arrangements to support them in response to specific challenges.
HSE South West will continue to engage with providers in the area to expand respite supports in line with available funding.
A number of service providers in Kerry have made submissions for summer day camps in various locations throughout the county, which would provide alternative day respite to families. These submissions are currently under review by the national disability team in the context of a wider respite summer programme.
