New respite service for children opens in Trim

Minister of State for Disabilities Anne Rabbitte officially open a new children's respite service in Trim yesterday (Thursday). Castlewood House Children’s Respite Centre can cater for five service users at any one time and will provide 1,800 nights of respite care each year.

Speaking at the event the Minister Rabbitte said:s“I’m delighted to be here to officially open Castlewood House Children’s Respite Centre here in County Meath. In 2023 funding was secured to progress a residential respite service for both children and adults in this county and my thanks to the HSE Disability Services in Meath and the Talbot Group for delivering on their commitment to have this children’s service opened in 2024. Having met many parents from County Meath who had raised the issue of access to respite care with me, I know the service will provide much needed and very welcome respite breaks for children and their families.”

Once funding was confirmed for the respite development, a procurement process was completed by HSE Meath Disability Services and the Talbot Group was awarded the contract to deliver this children’s respite service in Meath.

The Talbot Group sourced a property for the service close to the Trim area and then progressed the necessary works to ensure the property was redesigned to the specification agreed with the HSE and to the standards required by HIQA.

The property includes a studio style apartment with separate entrance and a ground floor bedroom which is wheelchair accessible. Overall Castlewood can accommodate five service users at any one time.

The benefits of a respite break for children, parents and families are well known. Respite services provide an opportunity for parents and families to recharge and attend to other matters in their lives. At the same time the child with the disability is given an opportunity to engage with other children and to participate in fun activities which increases the child’s well-being, social skills, confidence, and independence.

Castlewood House respite service will operate seven days/nights per week on 360 days of the year and will offer up to 1,800 respite bed nights each year. The number of breaks offered to children and their families will vary depending on the assessed needs of each individual child.

Laverne Mc Guinness, Chief Executive Officer of the Talbot Group said: “Talbot Group is delighted to partner with the HSE in Meath in the provision of this new respite service for children at Castlewood House. We look forward to welcoming many children and their families over the coming weeks and months and the opportunities for integration into the wider community”

Mary Gorman, Head of Service for Disability, HSE Community Services Louth, Meath, Westmeath, Longford, Laois, Offaly added: “It has been a pleasure to work with the Talbot Group to bring a much needed children’s respite centre to the Meath area. Respite care is such an important support to families who are caring for children with additional needs. HSE Disability Services were delighted to be allocated the additional funding required to progress the respite service that will be delivered at Castlewood House.”

Patrick Clerkin, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager for Louth and Meath stated: "I am delighted that children with additional needs and their families will be able to avail of local, accessible respite close to their homes in Co Meath. This is a welcome partnership with the Talbot Group."