Bradley: Change needed from HSE as local children offered respite - but in Dublin

Councillor Fionán Bradley has called on the HSE to engage with the relevant stakeholders to ascertain how best to provide respite services and residential facilities for children and adults with special educational and additional educational needs. 

The Buncrana-based schoolteacher was elected to Donegal County Council in June and from his campaigning met with people who are impacted first-hand, He gave an example of a local family offered respite in a centre in Dublin.

“During the course of the recent election campaign and in my professional career as a teacher of special educational needs children I am only too aware of the struggles families in this area face day in and day out with absolutely no support whatsoever. 

“Times like school holidays can be particularly challenging because these young people lose their routine and indeed families find it more difficult to do basic essential tasks such as shopping. Some of these young children and adults have very severe and complex medical needs or they may be non-verbal.

“In many cases, they require 24-hour care, 365 days a year. This causes untold stress on the parents and families who do it so effortlessly. 

“I know of a number of families in this area who have been approved for respite for their children, but the problem is there are absolutely no facilities for them. One family were offered respite in a centre in Dublin. 

“Their son has never been further than 15 minutes away from his parents at any time. This is absolutely disgraceful, and it is high time the HSE realised that they can no longer bury their head in the sand on this issue. Many of the parents and families who set up wonderful organisations like Cashel na Cor and iCARE are now at an advanced age and worry every day about what might happen to their loved ones after they pass on. This is grossly unfair. I will be seeking a meeting with the HSE as a matter of urgency to progress this issue!”