The crisis in respite and residential care needs to be addressed by the Government in the Budget, according to the head of one of the biggest residential centres in the State. Hundreds of families seeking respite care cannot be accommodated, Mr Joe Fallon, director of services at the Daughters of Charity, Navan Road, Dublin, said yesterday.
"They are being put under severe pressure because of the lack of facilities. Carers are saving the State million of pounds every year by looking after their relatives at home. The minimum the State should offer them is adequate respite care facilities to take a short break from the stress of 24 hour a day caring," he said.
A backlog of about 1,500 people awaiting residential care was increasing the pressure on respite care, he said. "Both issues need to be addressed."
Mr Fallon was speaking at the launch of a new information booklet, Respite Care for People with Disabilities, published by the National Rehabilitation Board. It is a comprehensive guide to respite care for adults and children with disabilities.
Ms Christine Whyte, manager of planning and development at the board, said "This booklet gives the name, address and phone number of every respite care centre throughout the country. It is intended as a useful reference guide for people who lead the busiest and most stressful lives of all."