HSE urged to be ‘more ambitious’ on Donegal respite services

The HSE needs to be more “ambitious” when it comes to key developments in Donegal, a public representative has said.

Councillor Gerry McMonagle was commenting after it was confirmed that the HSE has submitted a business case for just one children’s respite service.

The case has been sent to the National HSE Disability Services Access and Integration and is a priority for revenue funding allocation in the 2026 budget. It is expected that confirmation of a funding allocation via the National Service Plan will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Sinn Fein Councillor McMonagle had sought confirmation on whether the HSE applied for one five-bed facility or two.

“One five-bed facility will not be enough to meet the demand that is there,” Councillor McMonagle told the Regional Health Forum West. 

“We have had a number of messages and contact about the difficulties that they are having. We have had discussions before and this is coming from parents.”

The HSE says that it is “seeking to secure capital funding to progress a second new development respite service in Donegal” and this may be included in the capital plan following recent engagements.

Councillor McMonagle said that further lobbying on the matter may be needed and added: “When we are making a case here for the size of Donegal, we need to be more ambitious.”

Dermot Monaghan, the Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Donegal, said: “We are the second highest priority in the country for investment. We have put in for more, but at the moment that is what we have been allocated.”

Read next: Concerns over mental health care as ‘outgrown’ psychiatric unit left off new LUH plan

Mr Monaghan told the meeting that the national office “fully appreciates that and are aware of it” and said they were “hopeful of additional investments in the year after next”.