Press Statement
Kieran O’Donnell TD
Monday 23rd February 2021
O’Donnell welcomes over €1m funding for St Gabriel’s Children’s Respite Centre in Mungret
-Long awaited opening of Respite centre can now happen
Limerick Fine Gael TD Kieran O’Donnell has welcomed the announcement by Minister for Disability Anne Rabbitte of over €1m funding for St. Gabriel’s Children’s Respite Service in Mungret, which can now open following a long campaign.
“I very much welcome the announcement by Disability Minister Anne Rabbitte today of in excess of €1m for St. Gabriel’s Children’s Respite Centre in Mungret which can now open its service.
“I wish to commend all at St Gabriel’s and families on a long campaign to secure the funding to open this Children’s respite centre. This respite centre will make an enormously positive difference to the lives of children and their families.
“I also welcome that the Minister has asked that the HSE would give utmost priority to putting this new service at St Gabriel’s in place without further delay.
END.
Note to Editor:
Press Release:
Minister of State Anne Rabbitte announces €5m funding for 9 additional Respite Houses nationally including first to open – St Gabriel’s Children’s Respite House in Mungret, Limerick
From Department of Health
Published on 23 February 2021
Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte TD, today announced funding has been provided to the HSE to open St Gabriel’s Children’s Centre–based Respite Service in Mungret, Limerick.
Minister Rabbitte said,
“In Budget 2021, I committed to provide funding to the HSE to develop nine additional respite services across the country. I am delighted to announce St Gabriel’s as the first of these services. I want to thank all those who worked tirelessly to fundraise for this respite house which will provide specialist respite supports to children.
“I have requested the HSE to give the utmost priority to putting these new facilities and services in place without delay and to provide me with regular reports so I can ensure this additional funding is directly targeted at the people who need it most.
“Funding has been provided to the HSE to develop and open the additional 9 dedicated centre-based respite services across all Community Healthcare Areas this year. The HSE are engaging with Service Providers to develop these services in each CHO and hope to be in a position to confirm the location of the other facilities in the coming months. I hope that this funding will enable children and adults with disabilities and their families to access this vital support.
“I look forward to each service coming on stream being developed throughout this year. I am very aware of the pressure on families who are often under tremendous strain to keep going. That is why I secured an additional €5m in Budget 2021 to specifically enhance respite provision for people with a disability and their families.
“I really believe that respite plays an integral role in the wider provision of disability services and it is an area I’m keen to continue developing. The support services such as St Gabriel’s provide can have a real positive impact and the relief it provides is immeasurable for families,” concluded Minister Rabbitte.