§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what respite care facilities are available to support children with disabilities within the East Antrim constituency. [120945]
§ Angela SmithA range of respite services to support children with disabilities in the East Antrim area are available, including Whitehaven Respite Unit, Whitehead, the Challenge Unit, Ballymena and a family based respite scheme in Carrickfergus/Newtownabbey.
The development of respite care services is included in the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Priorities for Action 2003–04. Additional funding has been allocated for this purpose.