Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte publishes €15m respite investment plan
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From: Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
- Published on: 17 September 2024
- Last updated on: 12 April 2025
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte, today announced the details of a record investment of €15 million assigned to respite provision, which when all measures are implemented, would have a full year cost of €25 million. This will provide vital respite for children and adults with disabilities.
There has been significant additional investment in respite services in successive budgets. Every effort is being made to continue to support the provision of respite on an equitable basis and to expand provision in all its forms.
Compared to 2023, this year’s investment is an 18% increase in funding and will see an expansion in all respite options and is the single greatest uplift in respite. Further information is detailed on the Respite Investment Plan published today.
Today’s announcement comes ahead of a stakeholder event on respite later this month, which itself will feed into a Working Paper on Respite Services currently being drafted by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to be finalised in the next few months.
The indicative allocations for new developments in respite for 2024 are as follows:
| Total 2024 Allocation | |
| CHO1 | € 1,626,038 |
| CHO2 | € 1,037,898 |
| CHO3 | € 1,091,876 |
| CHO4 | € 2,274,680 |
| CHO5 | € 1,649,722 |
| CHO6 | € 1,092,755 |
| CHO7 | € 2,351,650 |
| CHO8 | € 1,887,176 |
| CHO9 | € 1,988,205 |
| Total | € 15,000,000 |
Minister Rabbitte commented, “One of my key commitments as Minister has been to bolster the level of respite in all its forms for children and adults with disabilities across the country, and today is the continuation of that with the allocation of €15 million to the HSE to develop respite in all its form.
As well as developing new high-quality, respite centres, this funding will be used to extend the opening of services not operating at full capacity, as well as providing the likes of after school clubs, weekend clubs and tea-time respite. We need to ensure respite provision is flexible to the needs of the services users and this will go some way towards that.
It’s great to see some innovative proposals from around the country to ensure all forms of respite are being considered, as well as maximising capacity such extending a service from four nights per week to seven nights per week. This means extra additional bed nights are available, meaning additional people can access respite.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of meeting numerous service users, families, and providers. I fully understand the crucial role respite care plays in alleviating stress and enhancing the quality of life for everyone involved. I know there is plenty more work to do to ensure people have access to respite and it will be kept to the fore as a priority area for investment,” concluded Minister Rabbitte.
Notes to Editor
The purpose of the Respite Investment Plan is to detail how the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and HSE aim to enhance respite services for children and adults with disabilities across Ireland.
Budget 2024 saw a record investment of €15 million allocated to respite and this plan sets out how we will increase the availability, improve the quality, and ensure the accessibility of respite services, providing much-needed support to families and caregivers.
It also gives an overview of respite provision and funding up to the present day, with a focus on the last few years in particular.
The document can be downloaded here.