12. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the extent to which respite care capacity for families of children with disabilities has increased over the past 12-months; whether current provision is meeting demand; her plans to expand residential and community-based respite services in areas where significant service gaps continue to exist; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42817/26]

This Government and the HSE recognises that respite is an important part of the continuum of HSE-funded supports for people with disabilities and their families and the Programme for Government commits to continue the expansion of these vital services.

In recent years, increased investment has supported a rise in service provision year on year. From 2022 to 2025, overnight respite provision increased by 26%, while the number of day-only sessions more than doubled in the same period.

Budget 2026 provides €25m additional funding for respite expansion, supporting close to 10,000 additional overnight and 25,000 additional day respite sessions. About 7,500 people avail periodically of centre-based respite, with regional disparities in access to the service and overall substantial unmet need.

This Government and the HSE recognises that demand for respite is very high. The HSE’s 2026 National Service Plan (NSP) committed to investing the €25m in respite services which aim to ensure more equitable access across regions, with a mix of centre-based, in home, overnight and alternative respite options. The HSE anticipates that in the region of 500 more children and adults with a disability will receive respite sessions both alternative and centre based within their community in 2026. While HSE goals and outcomes are specified in the National Service Plan, the Health Regions will allocate resources to optimise their use and impact for their populations. Initial Quarter 1 2026 data shows a positive indication that the provision of respite services this year is ahead of the same period last year.

This funding will be used to support a range of service openings and expansions across the country and there will be particular focus on strengthening provision in areas that currently have a lower level of supports.

The HSE have recently undertaken an audit of respite services across the country. The audit was carried out in order to get a comprehensive picture of current service provision nationally and provide greater insights into a range of areas such as unmet need, occupancy levels, data collection and types of respite being offered in different areas. The audit is the first step in a wide-ranging program of improvements in the area of respite.

The HSE is currently developing Interim Guidance for respite services. This guidance is intended to support a more transparent, equitable and consistent national approach to respite allocation and service planning.

Separately, a national policy framework for respite is being progressed by the Department in 2026 and will consider the availability of respite services and models, focusing on building out over time a more equitable geographical spread of services. The policy framework on respite services will set out how to expand provision through new service initiatives and enhanced use of existing resources. It will also emphasise the importance of working towards regional equity as regards the availability and access to respite services.

The policy on respite services will set out how to expand provision through new service initiatives and better use of existing resources. It will also emphasise the importance of working towards regional equity as regards the availability and access to respite services.

The Department of Children, Disability and Equality continues to engage with the HSE, to expand and develop residential services for people with disabilities. Engagement is also ongoing to improve the process for service users and families to access these residential services. Budget 2026 provided an additional €65m to expand residential services. This includes €40m to support in the region of 199 new residential responses including 152 newly created residential placements. The HSE’s 2026 National Service Plan also details a move towards a more planned and responsive system of service provision to include the development of 72 new planned residential placements.