HSE West and North West to benefit from €1.1 million for Summer Respite Initiatives 2026 for adults and children with a disability

HSE West and North West Disability Services have welcomed the announcement of funding of €1,106,787 for 106 projects under the Summer Respite Initiative for adults and children with a disability.

48 of these projects are for adults while 58 are for children. Each project is designed to enhance the availability, diversity, and accessibility of respite supports.

These projects will support the continued development of more flexible, person-centred respite supports, enabling individuals with disabilities, children, families, and carers to access meaningful, tailored supports.

By strengthening the capacity of local communities and service providers, this initiative supports a more inclusive model of care. It enables individuals and families engaged with HSE services to access flexible supports closer to home, while ensuring that services are delivered in a manner that is respectful, empowering, and responsive to individual circumstances.

The Summer Respite Initiatives support a wide range of funded initiatives and activities, ensuring an innovative and holistic approach to respite provision. Initiatives include:

• Sport and physical activity
• Performing and creative arts
• Health and wellbeing programmes
• Outdoor and environmental education
• Science, technology, and learning initiatives
• Music and cultural engagement.

The Summer Respite Initiative 2026 represents a significant and targeted investment to enhance respite provision nationwide. It highlights a continued focus on innovation, collaboration, and quality in service delivery, while ensuring that the needs and voices of individuals with disabilities and their families remain central to all supports.

Speaking of the GAA and HSE national partnership supporting children with additional needs to attend Kellogg’s GAA Cúl Camps across Ireland this summer, Niall and Emma O’Gorman said: “Watching both of our children enjoy Cúl Camps together this year was incredibly special. Thanks to the inclusive sessions in Kilkenny, our son Jack, who is autistic and deaf, was welcomed with understanding, supported every step of the way, and given the opportunity to simply be a child, have fun and belong. Seeing his smile alongside his sister Pippa’s made this a summer we’ll never forget. Thank you for making inclusion a reality for families like ours.

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, said: “Respite services are a vital support for people who need them, their families and carers. They provide opportunities for participation, independence and social connection, while also giving families and carers an important break from their caring responsibilities. I warmly welcome the HSE’s Summer Respite Initiatives for 2026, which will support more than 250 projects across the country. These initiatives will help to ensure that disabled people and their families have access to meaningful, inclusive and enjoyable experiences in their communities throughout the summer.”

Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Emer Higgins, said: “It is particularly encouraging to see such a wide range of activities being supported through this year’s initiative, including sport, creative arts, wellbeing programmes and community-based activities.

“These projects reflect the importance of flexible, person-centred supports that respond to the individual needs and preferences of disabled people and their families. I want to acknowledge the work of the HSE, service providers and community organisations across the country who make these opportunities possible and help deliver meaningful respite supports for families.”

Speaking of the new initiatives, Anne O’Connor, CEO, HSE added: “What is so powerful in Ireland is our communities and how we are connected with each other, this ensure initiatives such as Summer Respite are possible and so successful. These projects show how the alignment of policy, investment, workforce planning, our partnerships, and strengthening the capacity of local communities and service providers can lead to meaningful supports for our service users and their families.”

Regional Disability Lead, HSE West and North West Edel Quinn said “We are delighted to receive over €1.1 million for over 100 respite initiatives across Donegal, Leitrim, Sligo, Mayo, Roscommon and Galway. This will benefit many families as well as providing for greater inclusivity for adults and children in their local communities.”

In addition to the Summer Respite initiatives, the HSE is also supporting more than 60 long-term respite projects through core funding. This is a vital investment to ensure families have continued access to respite supports that promote wellbeing, inclusion, and sustainable care in their communities.