A Kerry County Councillor has raised the availability of adult respite care.
Michael Cahill raised the issue with Health Minister Stephen Donnelly at a meeting earlier this year in Killarney.
Cllr Cahill claims respite service for people with severe disabilities is lacking after they turn eighteen.
He says there is one respite house, situated in Listowel, covering Kerry and West Limerick, capable of taking two to three people at a time.
Cllr Cahill believes there should be four more such houses located around the county.
In response, Cork Kerry Community Healthcare says overnight respite services are provided to people over the age of 18 with an intellectual disability in a number of locations, including the regional respite house in Listowel, as well as other beds in Listowel, Rathmore and Castleisland.
It says the service provider is Kerry Parents and Friends Association (KPFA).
The HSE says Kerry Parents and Friends also operate a day service for adults with a disability at Cúnamh Iveragh, Canon Lane Bridge, Caherciveen. This service provides supports during the day, Monday to Friday.
Cork Kerry Community Healthcare says it's currently engaging with a service provider and actively working so that weekend overnight respite can be provided in the Cahersiveen area.
It says a Kerry adult respite forum is in place to access overnight respite service for people aged 18 and over. Membership of the forum includes HSE Disability Services and representatives from relevant disability agencies.
Cork Kerry Community Healthcare says it recognises the importance of respite services for people with disabilities, and for their families, and it apologises to families experiencing delays and difficulties in accessing respite services in Kerry. It says it's working to ensure that additional overnight respite beds for adults are made available in Kerry.
