89. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality for enhanced services at a location (details supplied); to create a centre of excellence for respite for both adults and children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [65721/26]

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue.

I am acutely aware of the demand for respite services in Kerry and am conscious that HSE South West Disability Services, on receipt of funding, has ensured that the region has been in a position to significantly invest in respite services in recent years.

Between 2021–2026, respite funding has more than doubled, reaching approximately €150 million in 2025, with an additional €25 million in new development funding provided in Budget 2026. This increased investment has translated into thousands of additional respite sessions delivered across the South West. From 2023 to 2025, Overnight respite provision increased by 24% while day sessions increased by 170% in this same time.

The HSE National Service Plan for 2026 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 Plan are 175,000 overnight sessions and 91,000 day-only sessions to be delivered. As of the end of Q2 2026, 91,758 overnight and 41,351 day-only respite sessions were delivered. Overnight respite delivery is 18.1% ahead of Q2 2025 while day-only session delivery is 29.5% ahead of Q2 2025.

Respite is not always overnight and can be provided in a number of ways including centre based day respite, evening and weekend clubs and individualised supports. Respite is a vital part of the continuum of services for families, potentially helping to prevent out-of-home full-time residential placements, preserving the family unit, and supporting family stability.

This year, in addition to broadening access and increasing activity for overnight respite and day sessions, the HSE planned an expanded summer programme of respite initiatives nationally and allocated €5m of their new development budget for 2026 to support this. HSE South West were granted national funding for a range of projects which were run throughout the summer of 2026 by Section 38, 39 and for-profit partners.

Regarding the future use of the St Mary of the Angels campus, as the Deputy will be aware, the campus is not owned by the HSE or the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, rather, it is owned and operated by St John of Gods Community Services Limited.

A working group was created to review and make recommendations on future use of the site. All relevant stakeholders, including people supported and their families are invited to participate in the working group.

At the centre of every discussion and decision made in respect of St Marys of the Angels site and St John of Gods Services will be the people who require specialist disability services. The voices and views of residents are vital as the campus is their home and all potential future opportunities for the campus will be considered as part of this ongoing process.

SJOG advised at the last operational meeting that they were beginning an external consultation process on the future of the campus. The tender for the consultation process has been awarded and all opportunities for the campus will now be considered as part of this review/consultation process.

This Department alongside HSE South West Disability Service will continue to work with service providers and families to ensure additional respite services are developed in the region.