Care and daily living
Respite, short breaks & home support
How to navigate respite, short breaks and home-support routes in Ireland without assuming local capacity is the same everywhere.
Content checked 28 September 2026. Time-sensitive details are labelled and should be rechecked before acting.
For a child
If the child is already linked with a Children’s Disability Network Team, the HSE advises asking the key worker or social worker about short breaks. If not, ask the GP or public health nurse about local options. Respite can be at home, in the community or overnight.
For an adult
Adult disability respite is commissioned and delivered locally through HSE and HSE-funded services. In 2026 the HSE expanded respite capacity nationally, but that does not create a single national application or guarantee the same provision in every area.
Home Support
The national HSE Home Support Service is primarily an older-person service, but its public guidance says some people under 65 may qualify, including people with a disability. Under-65 disability home-support routes vary, so the local office or disability service should confirm the correct pathway.
Carer supports in parallel
Respite and home support are service routes. Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Carer’s Support Grant and statutory Carer’s Leave are separate financial/employment routes and can be worth checking in parallel.