Calls for adult respite centre in Killarney

A Kerry Fianna Fáil Councillor raised the lack of Adult Respite Care in Kerry with the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly at a meeting in Killarney.

Parents and guardians of people with severe disabilities are generally happy with the Respite Service provided for patients up to the age of 18 in Kerry, Councillor Michael Cahill has claimed, but as adults they are poorly served.

“When a patient turns 18, and are regarded as an adult, the Respite Service available is totally inadequate. There is one Respite House, situated in Listowel, covering Kerry and West Limerick, capable of taking two to three people at a time. Obviously, it is difficult to get any appointment, not alone a couple of overnights respite, which are essential for both patient and guardian, to ensure everybody can recharge their batteries and be in a position to carry on,” said Cahill. "Many parents and Guardians are at their wits end trying to cope 24/7 and need and deserve a proper Respite service.”

Councillor Michael Cahill

“I advised Minister Donnelly that, to provide a basic Adult Respite Service for Kerry, there would need to be four more such houses located around the county. The additional facilities should be provided in the Killorglin/Mid Kerry area, the Dingle/West Kerry area, the Killarney/ East Kerry area and in Tralee,” added Councillor Cahill.

"I asked the Minister to arrange for the HSE to examine this proposal and I intend to pursue this matter with the Department and the Minister to ensure that we obtain the best possible outcome.”