The Minister for Disabilities says there will be a dedicated respite care unit for children in Monaghan "by the end of this budgetary year". Minister Anne Rabitte made the committment on the Joe Finnegan Show earlier today. She was responding to criticism from a Monaghan mother who, last week, lambasted the HSE for the lack of dedicated respite care and special schools in the county.
For Hannah and her family, respite is essential since her son, Tommy, is autistic, has ADHD and sensory processing issues. Hannah said she was "tired" of advocating on behalf of Tommy and families like theirs because all her efforts to date had led to nothing. Today, however, Disabilities Minister Anne Rabitte confirmed that a new dedicated respite centre which can accommodate up to 75 local children, and will consist of up to 5 bedrooms will be in operation in County Monaghan before the next budget comes around.
Deputy Rabitte apologised to "Hannah", admitted Monaghan has been the "poor cousin" in her department but, said it is now a "priority". "First and foremost, this story is getting priority of my attention," the Minister said, "so to Hannah and many more Hannahs out there I want to apologise that there is no dedicated children's respite services in Monaghan. What they actually have is a a shared service with Cavan, week on /week off, between adults and children."
