Written Answers Nos. 993-1012
993. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to list the composition of her private office, inclusive of the grade and increment of each civil servant assigned to their office; whether they are located in the private or constituency office; the value of any allowance paid to those individuals and the purpose of each allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3263/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested has been outlined in tabular form below. Please note that I cannot disclose my staff members' points on this scale, as this is personal information. In lieu of this, I have provided their salary ranges:
|
Grade |
Location |
Salary Range |
Allowance |
|
Policy Adviser (PO) |
Private Office |
€101,894-€126,035 |
N/A |
|
Press Adviser (PO) |
Private Office |
€101,894-€126,035 |
N/A |
|
Administrative Officer |
Private Office |
€38,869 - €71,939 |
€22’953.60Private Sec Allowance |
|
Executive Officer |
Private Office |
€36,544 – €59,422 |
N/A |
|
Executive Officer |
Private Office |
€36,544 – €59,422 |
N/A |
|
Executive Officer |
Constituency |
€36,544 – €59,422 |
N/A |
|
Clerical Officer |
Private Office |
€27,409 - €43’189 |
N/A |
|
Clerical Officer |
Private Office |
€27,409 - €43’189 |
N/A |
|
Clerical Officer |
Constituency |
€27,409 - €43’189 |
N/A |
|
Clerical Officer |
Private Office |
€27,409 - €43’189 |
N/A |
|
Clerical Officer |
Constituency |
€27,409 - €43’189 |
N/A |
994. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of respite hours for children provided to families in CHO6 in each of the past six months, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3294/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly. Please include disabilityresidentialservices@equality.gov.ie in reply.
995. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of overnight respite beds for children in CHO6 in each of the past six months, and the occupancy rate of said beds, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3295/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly. Please include disabilityresidentialservices@equality.gov.ie in reply.
996. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the findings of the chief archaeologist in reviewing the survey of land adjacent to the known burial ground in Sean Ross Abbey in County Tipperary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3299/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the pain caused by the deaths of children who were resident in the former Mother and Baby institution in Sean Ross Abbey.
The investigation of burial arrangements in Mother and Baby institutions, including the former institution at Sean Ross Abbey, was an important part of the work of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. The Mother and Baby Homes’ Commission’s Final Report included a Report of Forensic Archaeological Investigations at Sean Ross Abbey Mother and Baby Home Children’s Burial Ground. The report, which was commissioned on foot of concerns about the burial ground in Sean Ross Abbey, found that infant human burials were located across the Children’s Burial ground and these had not been impacted by any utilities or drainage works. The report notes that coffins, or evidence of coffins, were located with the majority of remains (84%).
As set out in its final report, the Commission was satisfied that the forensic report provided clear evidence that the coffined remains of children under the age of one are buried in the designated burial ground. It noted that, without complete excavation, it was not possible to say conclusively that all of the children who died in Sean Ross were buried in the designated burial ground and that it did not consider that further investigation was warranted.
I understand that, following publication of the Commission’s final report, the then Minister engaged with a local group in relation to their concerns that an area beyond the acknowledged burial ground at Sean Ross Abbey may also contain graves. In 2023, funding was provided to the group to support them in undertaking a survey of the land in question, which was not subject to investigation by the Commission.
The group submitted a copy of the survey report to my Department, and, as there is no expertise in the Department to assess it, the Chief Archaeologist in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage was asked to review it. The Chief Archaeologist’s review, which has been shared with the group, concludes that the survey report is inconclusive, with no clear evidence of burials. I understand, however, that the group continues to have concerns in this regard.
997. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the use of a private residential dwelling home as a residential care home for children in the care of the State, where that care is being provided by a private provider contracted to Tusla, requires a change in either the planning status of the private residential dwelling, or a change in its planning use; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3301/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to Tusla's operations, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
998. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [3315/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
999. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons on a waiting list for speech and language therapy, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [3316/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1000. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children a waiting list for speech and language therapy, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [3317/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1001. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons on a waiting list for initial contact from a CDNT, by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [3318/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1002. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that will be taken to replace a cut in service hours in a childcare facility (details supplied) particularly in a community where there is already a shortage of affordable childcare. [3338/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the service in question has had initial engagement with their local CCC.
In addition to the Core Funding grant for early learning and childcare providers towards operating costs, which the service avails of, Case Management Supports are available from my Department for any service experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability.
This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support for services, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
This service will soon meet with their local CCC and with Pobal to discuss the various supports available under Case Management.
I have also been informed that the children who attend the afternoon session in the service in question can be accommodated in this service’s sister service, which is located within 1km of the service and that other alternative arrangements also being explored.
1003. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware of any ongoing challenges faced by early years educators and childcare providers regarding funding or operational support; and the way she plans to address these issues moving forward. [3339/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding. This funding, which increased by 11% (to €287 million) in year 2, increased by another 15% in year 3 (to €331 million).
This significant further investment for the third programme year allowed for increased measures including;
• The base rates for all age groups increased, with larger increases in funding for places offered to children under the age of three.
• The flat rate for services registered on the Tusla Early Years Register as sessional only, increased from €4,075 to €5,000.
• The minimum base rate allocation increased from €8,150 to €14,000. This is the minimum amount of funding a centre-based service (not childminders) will receive through their base rate and ensures a minimum guaranteed income for services.
• The maximum base rate allocation decreased from €600,000 to €500,000.
For year 3 of Core Funding, the Department introduced a new Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process whereby a Partner Service meeting certain criteria could apply to increase their fees up to an approved level. This process closed for applications on 29 November 2024. The Department also introduced a cap on fees for services joining Core Funding for the first time this year. A fee cap will apply to all Partner Services from September 2025.
These new developments are in line with Recommendations 21 and 22 in Partnership for the Public Good.
Further increases in year four of the Scheme, announced in Budget 2025, which will see the total allocation increase to over €390 million. Further details on the fourth programme year will be announced to services in advance of the application opening.
On 19 September 2023, plans to develop an Action Plan for Administrative and Regulatory Simplification for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector were announced, supported by a Working Group comprising representatives from the Department, Pobal and the City / County Childcare Committees.
Indecon Economic Consultants are engaged to review the end-to-end processes linked to publicly funded early learning and childcare schemes/programmes. As part of this review Indecon have met with and presented to an Advisory Group comprising providers, educator/practitioner and parent representatives, on their approach. The review will offer an insight into administrative and regulatory requirements for the sector and the balance of same while continuing to ensure best governance and quality is delivered.
The review of end-to-end processes is informed in part by regional consultation events which commenced in late May 2024, and concluded in early June over a mix of in-person and online sessions to ensure accessibility and attendance for over 400 parental, provider, representative bodies and other key sectoral stakeholders. Given the sheer volume of written feedback received in person at these consultation sessions, and submissions received after the sessions from CSI, SIPTU and a large combined volume from the CCC, the review is expected to conclude in Q1 2025.
The Action Plan which will outline short-term, medium-term, and long term administrative and regulatory simplification measures, will be finalised and published after the conclusion of the review.
1004. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her plans, if any, to address the shortage of childcare places in Dublin south west, which according to a recent report has the worst shortage of childcare places nationally (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3436/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department employs a range of approaches to identify and address shortages of early learning and childcare places, bearing in mind the wide range of types of early learning and childcare provision offered by services and required by families.
Last year, a Supply Management Unit within the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Division was established, and the Programme for Government articulates an intention that the unit be resourced and transformed into a Forward Planning and Delivery Unit to identify areas of need, forecast demand and deliver public supply within the childcare sector where required.
The development of a forward planning model is currently underway utilising the skills of statisticians on secondment from the Central Statistics Office, those experienced in the field of early learning and childcare and the expertise of a GIS mapper working with the Department. The model will seek to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country, whether or not those places are occupied and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level.
It is important to note that demand for early learning and childcare beyond sessional pre-school provision is highly elastic and shaped very substantially by families' individual composition, circumstances and preferences; employment patterns and income; and the price and availability of services.
My Department collects extensive data on supply through both survey and administrative data. A range of data sources show that the level of capacity in the sector has risen substantially in recent years. However, there is also evidence that demand for places is increasing and, for certain cohorts and in certain areas, outstripping supply. This is partly driven by the significant improvements in affordability that have been achieved in recent years. Published data on capacity broken down at county level is available at www.pobal.ie/childcare/capacity/.
The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched on the 4th November 2024. Applications for this scheme have now closed and an appraisal process has begun.
The primary focus of the Extension Grant Scheme is to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre-ECCE, age range for full day care. Appraisal of applications for this scheme will consider the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch.
€25m will be made available this year to deliver additional capacity under the Scheme and I expect to announce the outcome of the application process in March.
1005. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1278 of 22 January 2025, in the context of the Programme for Government commitment to review and increase core funding for childcare services, whether she can detail the actions that will be taken to entice childcare providers who have exited core funding back into core funding thereby ensuring the fee cap is maintained for the benefit of all parents; if she will provide a specific dedicated forum for engagement with childcare providers who have exited core funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3463/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding. This funding, which increased by 11% (to €287 million) in year 2, has increased again by another 15% in year 3 (to €331 million).
This significant further investment for the third programme year allowed for increased measures including;
• The Base Rates for all age groups increased, with larger increases in funding increases for places offered to children under the age of three.
• The flat rate for services registered on the Tusla Early Years Register as sessional only has increased from €4,075 to €5,000.
• The minimum Base Rate allocation has increased from €8,150 to €14,000. This is the minimum amount of funding a centre-based service (not childminders) will receive through their Base Rate and ensures a minimum guaranteed income for services.
• The maximum Base Rate allocation is decreasing from €600,000 to €500,000.
For year 3 of Core Funding, my Department introduced a new Fee Increase Assessment and Approval Process whereby a Partner Service meeting certain criteria could apply to increase their fees up to an approved level. This process closed for applications on 29 November 2024. My Department also introduced a cap on fees for services joining Core Funding for the first time this year. A fee cap will apply to all Partner Services from September 2025. These new developments are in line with Recommendations 21 and 22 in Partnership for the Public Good.
My Department regularly engages with the sector through the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF) . Matters relevant to the sector are discussed, including any developments to the Core Funding Scheme.
Further increases in year four of the Scheme, announced in Budget 2025, which will see the total allocation increase to over €390 million. Further details on the fourth programme year will be announced to services in advance of the application opening.
Core Funding also allows for services to access other supports and benefits offered by my Department including the Building Blocks capital grant scheme, and Equal start which aims to support access and participation in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) for children and their families who experience disadvantage.
In addition, Core Funding Partner Services can also avail of case management supports if they experience viability concerns. This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support for partner services, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
Core Funding Partner services can avail of many supports which are not available to services outside of the scheme, and I am committed to increasing the direct financial incentives of Core Funding, as well as ensuring the suite of other supports available to Partner Services continue to be developed and remain attractive.
Currently, 92% of eligible services have signed up to Core Funding year. This equates to over 4,400 services, and means that more services have opted into the scheme this year, than in programme years one or two.
My Department will continue to engage with the sector, and continue to develop the scheme so that it can continue to see the high uptake levels it has seen this year, and indeed since it was launched in 2022.
1006. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of services that have withdrawn from core funding, by month and by county, in the past 12 months, up to and including today’s date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3464/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver 92% or more than 4,400, providers have signed up for Core Funding in year 3.
There are a total of 12 services whose latest application status is "withdrawn" in the previous 12 months of the scheme.
The below table shows the services who have withdrawn from Core funding in the previous 12 month by location and withdrawal month.
|
County |
Number of Services |
Date of Withdrawal Programme Year 2023/2024 |
|
Clare |
1 |
August 2024 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
December 2024 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
April 2024 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
May 2024 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
March 2024 |
|
South Dublin |
2 |
May 2024 |
|
County |
Number of Services |
Date of Withdrawal Programme Year 2024/2025 |
|
Galway |
3 |
August 2024 |
|
Laois |
1 |
August 2024 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
January 2025 |
It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to withdraw from the Core Funding scheme, the significant financial supports it provides to providers and the certainty it provides to parents through the associated fee management measures. However, I am confident that given the level of investment and associated supports, services should not need to take this step.
While a provider may withdraw from Core Funding, they remain eligible in this programme year to provide the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and the Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Saver programme.
The Agreement for the provision of Core Funding in Programme year 3 (2024/2025) states that services must give 3 months’ notice of their intention to withdraw to the scheme administrator, and 3 months' written notice to parents/guardians.
As of 28 January, information received from Pobal, the scheme administrator, indicates 3 Partner Services have given notice of their intention to withdraw from the scheme to Pobal, with withdrawal dates in March this year.
|
County |
Number of Services |
Date of Withdrawal |
|
Dublin City |
3 |
March 2025 |
In addition to these data, my officials have requested updated information on services, previously in years 1 and/or 2 of Core Funding that did not contract for the Scheme in year 3 but who continue to operate. Once this information is received, it can be shared directly with Deputy Geoghegan.
1007. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on disability service waiting lists for children’s disability networks teams, by CHO/CDNT, at the end of each quarter of each year 2019-to 2024, and in January 2025, in tabular form; the average length of wait; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3511/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1008. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people on disability service waiting lists for each service type, excluding children’s disability network teams, at the end of each quarter of each year 2019 to 2024, and in January 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3512/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1009. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on waiting lists for an assessment of need for each quarter of each year 2019 to 2024, and in January 2025, in tabular form; the number overdue for completion; and the number of estimated preliminary team assessments waiting for a complete assessment of needs. [3513/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1010. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline her Department’s policy on the charging of non-refundable registration fees by early learning and care centre providers; whether this breaches the requirements of the core funding contract; if there is any upper limit to the registration fees that can be charged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3517/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs per the Agreement for the provision of Core Funding in Programme Year 3 (2024/2025), in most instances where a parent/guardian provided a deposit or a registration fee to a Partner Service after 1 September 2024, the Partner Service must return this to the parent/guardian once the child’s registration is approved on the Hive or within four weeks of the child taking up the place, whichever is sooner.
The relevant clauses in the Agreement for the Provision of Core Funding Year 3 is;
7.9.1. "A Partner Service agrees that they will not charge any non-refundable deposits (including administration/registration fees/waiting list fees, etc.) to parents/guardians in the respect of their early learning and childcare service for which the deposit was paid.”
It should be noted that the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement 2024/2025 states:
“Non-Refundable Deposits” means any deposit which is charged to parents which the Partner Service will not refund. This includes administration/registration fees or other such charges.
The amount and return of deposits or registration fee is usually governed by local agreement which occurred between the Partner Service and the parent/guardian.
In such scenarios, parents/guardians should initially discuss this with the service directly. In certain cases, this step may allow for the quick resolution of the case between the Partner Service and the individual.
In the event that an individual wishes to raise a concern regarding a potential breach in fee conditions, the first step is to reach out to their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC).
Contact details for local CCC can be found at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/52b71-support-for-parents-city-and-county-childcare-committees/?referrer=https://www.gov.ie/childcarecommittees/
1011. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps she will take the stop the closure of the afternoon session of an organisation (details supplied), a vital community service provided by the Dublin City Childcare Committee and funded by her Department; the reason parents have been told at very short notice that the session is to close from next week; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3528/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the service in question has had initial engagement with their local CCC.
In addition to the Core Funding grant for early learning and childcare providers towards operating costs, which the service avails of, Case Management Supports are available from my Department for any service experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability.
This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support for services, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
This service will soon meet with their local CCC and with Pobal to discuss the various supports available under Case Management.
I have also been informed that the children who attend the afternoon session in the service in question can be accommodated in this service’s sister service, which is located within 1km of the service and that other alternative arrangements also being explored.
1012. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the improvements that are being made to disability services, including personal assistant hours and respite care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3601/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2020 Programme for Government (PfG) committed to the delivery of a National Disability Strategy that would advance the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The 2025 PfG commits to delivering and fully resourcing this Strategy which will operate as a framework for the coordination of disability policy across government, ensuring a whole-of-government approach to the advancement of the UNCRPD and collaboration on cross-cutting issues. A robust and extensive stakeholder consultation process has completed, which included:
• 34 focus groups
• 18 interviews
• More than 80 written submissions
• 484 responses to a national survey
• 5 town hall events, online and in person (in Dublin, Galway, and Cork)
Further engagement has been ongoing also with Disabled Persons' Organisations, with disability umbrella organisations and service providers, and across government. Feedback from consultation has coalesced around a range of thematic pillars that, collectively, will capture the spectrum of issues affecting the day-to-day lives of disabled people, including the ambitious action required to support disabled people to live independent lives of their own choosing.
Government is committed to a step-change in specialist disability services and in improving access to services. The Disability Action Plan 2024-2026, published in December 2023, sets out targets for the development of necessary capacity in specialist disability services in addition to driving reforms in how those services are planned and delivered. While the Action Plan initiates the process of addressing the capacity deficits that have been identified, considerable further work remains to be done. It is intended that the Action Plan is a living document, which may be periodically reviewed and updated in the light of progress or challenges that need to be addressed. Informed by the feedback from the Action Plan Monitoring Group, the Ministers will consider at the half-way point what further measures or changes would need to be incorporated in the Action Plan.
A total of €3.2bn. has been allocated for HSE Disability Services in Budget 2025. While this funding represents an 11.5% increase (including capital increases) compared to last year it must be acknowledged that significant challenges continue to prevail in the sector including the increased cost of service provision, pay cost pressures, recruitment and retention issues and service provider sustainability. Therefore a significant ELS allocation in Budget 2025 seeks to stabilise base funding. Funding has been provided for Children’s Services, Day Services, Residential Services, Respite, Personal Assistance and Home Support hours and other supports to assist people to continue living independently in their own home. In addition, the capital allocation for Disability services will increase by €4m (from €23m in 2024 to €27m in 2025) supporting infrastructure development across respite, day services, children’s services and de-congregation. The specific quantities of service to be provided through this additional allocation is set out in more detail in the HSE’s National Service Plan.
With regards to Personal Assistance services, the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 commits to 800,000 additional hours of Personal Assistance, with the delivery of 95,000 additional hours in 2025. A policy review of Personal Assistance services in light of the UNCRPD is already underway, with a working group involving key stakeholders and disabled people's organisations, to develop formal policy and service description, develop eligibility and prioritisation criteria, and consider the best form of governance and regulation.
The HSE is committed to making better use of existing respite and alternative respite provision through increasing occupancy. This includes in-home respite support hours, home sharing short breaks and group-based targeted services such as summer camps and evening sessions. As a vital part of the continuum of services for families, respite potentially helps prevent out-of-home full-time residential placements, preserves the family unit, and supports family stability.
My Department is aware of the importance of respite service provision for the families of both children and adults with disabilities and the impact the absence of respite service provision can have on people's lives. €13.95m additional funding has been provided to respite services in Budget 2025 to meet additional costs arising from 2024 developments and responses into 2025. The objective is to support respite provision which is meaningful and responsive to the needs of families and individuals.
