The North Belfast MLA was speaking following the airing of a BBC Spotlight investigation today (24 September) on the lack of support for families with children with special education needs and disabilities.
Ms McAllister has said: “Day services, short breaks, and wider respite services provide not only critical sources of support for disabled children and other service users, but also a lifeline for their unpaid carers.
“For years, carers have been saying that their access to respite is too little or entirely non-existent. They are being pushed to breaking point and burn out by the relentless pressure of caring around the clock for sick or disabled loved ones and getting no opportunity for a break in return.
“I have repeatedly asked the Health Minister about his plans to boost respite provision across Northern Ireland and his lack of urgency on this issue is alarming. The inadequate provision of these vital services, particularly overnight respite, has been ignored by the Department for too long and it really is unsurprising that so many families are reaching the end of their tether.
“Unpaid carers save Northern Ireland billions of pounds per year and keep our Health and Social Care system afloat every day. We should not be exploiting the love and devotion they have toward their loved ones by denying them access to regular breaks and opportunities to recharge their batteries.”