Deputy Pearse Doherty has called for more support for respite services in Donegal and across the state.
Speaking in the Dáil yesterday, he claimed the government were failing families.
He said “Family carers are a bedrock of care and support in Ireland – saving the State billions every year. Despite this, family carers have not received the support they need and deserve.
“Respite services are not a luxury but a critical support. Often, these services provide the only opportunity to attend a family wedding or funeral, make an appointment, or simply rest and recharge.
“They support families, often preventing out-of-home and full-time residential placements that would otherwise be required. But these families are being failed.
He claimed the Government is failing on assessment of need, services and respite care and that there is a growing unmet need for respite care across the State.
He adds “Yet fewer people received respite services in 2022 compared to 2018 – nearly 20 percent less. This unmet need, and the failure of Government to support these carers and families, is all too plain in Donegal.
“I have been in contact with a mother who has been waiting to avail of respite services at Drumboe House in Stranorlar. For over three years this service has been withdrawn.
“Despite assurances from the Minister two years ago that their recommencement was in hand, I was recently told that services at Drumboe Respite House would not reopen until the end of this year.
“And we still do not have a seven-day respite service at Seaview House in Mountcharles. I raised this with the Minister two years ago and was told that expanding the service to seven days was a priority.
“Two years later and Seaview House is still not operating a seven-day service – alternating between five and four days. Broken promises are of no value to parents and caregivers in Donegal.
He said that in the past week Government ministers have been more concerned with grabbing headlines and bickering than solving the problems that are affecting families each day – including access to respite services.
“It is time for people with disabilities and caregivers to be respected.
“It is time to leverage all existing capacity to reopen closed respite centres and services. And to implement a multi-annual strategic workforce plan to expand services and address the unacceptable levels of unmet need.
“Beyond this, it is surely time for a change in Government.”
