Bereavement Support Line 1800 80 70 77

Growing need for respite care for children with life-limiting illnesses

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald T.D. today (March 4th) launched a national report into respite services for children with life-limiting conditions which highlighted that service deficits exist and families face challenges in accessing respite care.

Respite Services for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions and their Families in Ireland. A National Needs Assessment found that while respite services are provided in all four Health Service Executive (HSE) regions, access was often dependent on the geographical location of the child and their diagnosis.  The report estimated that up to €7.6m was currently needed to provide respite care for about 812 children and €8.62m would be required to care for 925 children by 2021.  This works out as an average of less than €10,000 per child being invested in respite services.

Click here to read more.

Click here to read the report in full.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald, Philomena Dunne, CEO of LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice and Sharon Foley, CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation pictured at the launch of report Respite Services for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions and their Families in Ireland. A National Needs Assessment.
Minister Frances Fitzgerald, Philomena Dunne, CEO of LauraLynn, Ireland’s Children’s Hospice and Sharon Foley, CEO of the Irish Hospice Foundation pictured at the launch of report Respite Services for Children with Life-Limiting Conditions and their Families in Ireland. A National Needs Assessment.
×