The North Belfast MLA said: “I welcome today's announcement from the Health Minister regarding the Department of Health’s plan to invest in improving services for children with disabilities. This investment has been a long time coming and I am thankful that children with complex needs and their families will hopefully have access to more support. 

“While the Minister's announcement is welcome, issues in children's respite services are longstanding and Trusts have been saying that they need investment from the Department for a long time. It should not have taken a spotlight documentary with a group of mothers who were at breaking point and felt they had no option but to go public to prompt action.

“At the start of this mandate, I highlighted the urgent need to prioritise respite care and have continued to use every opportunity to raise the issue of the lack of children’s respite provision. The needs of families and young people with complex needs deserve to be addressed as a priority. 

“Whilst it shouldn’t have taken this long I am glad and I look forward to seeing how this multi-year funding will improve provision on the ground for families. Myself and my Alliance colleagues will continue to engage with the Department on this matter and seek to gain further clarity on additional details and whether multi-use sites for short-term respite and residential beds will be included as part of this announcement.”