St. Gabriel’s Children’s Respite House, Mungret will open in the January following a visit to the facility by Minister for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte TD. The state-of-the art facility located in Mungret was designed and purpose built in 2018 to provide overnight respite breaks for children with severe physical disabilities and additional complex medical needs from across the Mid-West. The facility, which cost almost €3 million to develop, is the first of its kind in the country.

I am delighted to say that the Minister for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte, who visited St. Gabriel’s Children’s Respite House, Mungret at my request, has committed HSE funding of circa €1.5 million per annum to the facility. The respite House will open in January 2021 to provide respite breaks for children with severe physical disabilities.
I had a meeting with Minister Rabbitte last week in Dublin and emphasised to her the vital importance of opening St. Gabriel’s Children’s Respite House in Mungret. She was very receptive and interested in the respite house and agreed to come visit the facility in Limerick this week.

During her visit the Minister met with the CEO of St. Gabriel’s Máire O’Leary, parents and staff. She was extremely impressed with the facility and committed to funding the required staff from January onwards. The estimated cost per annum will be in the region of €1.5 million.