23. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the number of respite hours provided to children and adults with disabilities and their families in Dublin during 2025 by CHO area; the projected level of respite capacity and hours expected to be available in 2026 and 2027; the additional investment being considered as part of Budget 2027 to expand respite services and reduce waiting times for families seeking access to respite supports, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47396/26]

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Respite services are part of the continuum of HSE-funded supports for people with disabilities and their families and typically consists of short breaks for service users and their carers. Respite services play a crucial role in preventing carer burnout, helping to prevent out-of-home full-time residential placements, preserving the family unit and supporting family stability.

I am informed by the HSE that over the course of 2025 there were approximately 7,050 people in receipt of respite service, with an estimated total 68,874 Respite Day only and 165,592 Respite overnights delivered.

With regards to Dublin, data collated is not specific to Dublin only and may overlap with other counties but is available as follows:

Number of Overnights Accessed

• HSE Dublin and Midlands – 25,467

• HSE Dublin & North East – 33,972

• HSE Dublin & South East – 23,000

Number of Day only

• HSE Dublin and Midlands – 2,139

• HSE Dublin & North East – 21,027

• HSE Dublin & South East – 13,385

Number of people in receipt of Respite services

• HSE Dublin and Midlands – 1,006

• HSE Dublin & North East – 2,141

• HSE Dublin & South East – 1,365

I am acutely aware of the demand for respite services and, on receipt of very welcome funding, there has been significant investment in respite services in recent years.

Between 2021–2026, respite funding has almost doubled, now totalling approximately €150m for 2026.

Budget 2026 has provided €25m in new development funding for the expansion of respite services. The HSE National Service Plan projects that this funding will provide approximately 10,000 additional overnight sessions and 25,000 day sessions across a range of initiatives across the country, to 500 additional adults and children. The full targets for respite provision in the 2026 National Service Plan are 175,000 overnight sessions and 91,000 day-only sessions delivered to 7,332 people.

Included in the HSE’s planned expansion of day sessions is the development of an enhanced summer respite programme. Approximately 250 summer respite initiatives nationwide will be supported, providing a diverse, flexible and person-centred and meaningful respite approach for individuals, children, families and carers.

The HSE has also recently undertaken a national audit of respite services. This work was carried out to build a more comprehensive picture of current service provision and to provide insight into key areas including occupancy levels, data collection, and the types of respite available across different regions. The audit represents an important first step in a broader programme of development in respite services.

The audit will support the development of a national policy framework for respite services currently being progressed by the Department that will consider the availability of respite services and models of service, focusing on building over time a more equitable geographical spread of services.

Funding requirements for respite services for 2027 will be considered as part of the annual Estimates process over the coming months.