It is utterly unacceptable that despite rising requests and need, less respite care is being provided in 2018 compared to last year. All the promises made by the Government in 2017 to improve and increase respite care have been proven empty.
Respite care is one of the most important services provided by the health service. Those who avail of these services will tell you that it is precious in providing their loved one and their family with much needed rest.
Figures released to Sinn Féin show that the number of overnight respite sessions accessed by people with a disability fell by up 2,911 sessions in the first half of this year, compared with the same period in 2017.
Here in Mayo, there were 124 less overnight respite sessions and 246 less day respite sessions provided so far this year compared to 2017.
This situation is completely unacceptable. When provision is cut or reduced it has serious real life implications for families.
These respite sessions provide respite and relief to parents and families who have a person in the household with a disability. They are some of the hardest pressed and struggling families in the State, and the evidence shows that this government is failing them.
We need to see year on year increases and investment in respite services in order to provide for currently unmet need and future need. You cannot provide less respite to the tune of thousands of hours and expect families who need it not to suffer.
The cutting of these respite sessions has real life implications for families across the State and it has to be reversed as a matter of urgency.
