Hopes overnight respite for kids can resume soon

The operators of an overnight respite house for children in North Cork have said they are working to ensure it reopens as soon as possible, the Cork Independent has learned.

Cooleen’s Respite House in Charleville, run by St Joseph’s Foundation, reopened following the Covid-19 pandemic in spring 2023. However, in February of this year, the Foundation was forced to pause overnight respite at Cooleen’s due to staffing shortages.

A statement from St Joseph’s Foundation explained: “A key factor contributing to these shortages is the ongoing issue of pay parity for Section 39 organisations, such as St Joseph’s Foundation. The disparity in pay continues to undermine our ability to recruit and retain highly skilled staff.”

The statement came following Cork North West Fine Gael TD John Paul O’Shea’s calls for St Joseph’s Foundation and the HSE South West to take immediate action to fully reopen Cooleen’s House. The deputy described it as a vital respite centre for children with disabilities and their families.

“This situation is simply unacceptable,” Deputy O’Shea said. “Families across North Cork — many of whom are under enormous pressure — have been left without a vital service for years. Respite care is not a luxury; it is an essential support for children with complex needs and their parents. The delay in reopening Cooleen’s House is causing unnecessary hardship and distress.”

In their statement St Joseph Foundation said: “We once again call on Deputy O’Shea to use his position to raise this matter (pay and recruitment) with Government and to highlight the lack of recognition afforded to Section 39 staff when compared with their Section 38 and HSE colleagues.”

The statement to the Cork Independent continued: “In the interim, we have worked closely with families to ensure alternative supports are in place. These have included in-home overnight respite, home support, and Saturday clubs. While we recognise that these measures are not a full substitute for overnight respite in Cooleen’s, the vast majority of families have availed of these options.

“We are also working very positively with our colleagues in the HSE South West to ensure that Cooleen’s reopens as soon as possible. The Foundation has recruited a dedicated team to facilitate the reopening, and we anticipate that overnight respite will recommence within the next six to eight weeks, subject to HIQA approval. It is important to note that Cooleen’s is funded to operate on a part-time basis,” concluded the statement.

HSE South West Disability Services said in a statement that it continues to actively support St Joseph’s Foundation in the recruitment of essential staff required to reopen Respite Centre. The statement said: "There has been significant progress - interviews have taken place and successful candidates have received their offers.

"St Joseph’s Foundation has assured HSE South West that the final stages of the recruitment process will proceed without delay. We expect that staff will be in place within the next eight weeks, which will enable the reopening of the centre.

"We understand the importance of respite to families, and we remain committed to supporting the timely reopening. In the meantime, 93% of the families affected have been availing of alternative supports on an interim basis," the statement concluded.