There has been an almost 40% reduction in the number of public respite beds in Cork over the last six years.
According to the Echo, respite beds have decreased from 73 in 2018 to 46 in 2024, while convalescent beds have decreased from 41 in 2018 to 23 in 2024.
The issue was highlighted during a Dáil debate on Tuesday by Social Democrats leader Cork South West TD Holly Cairns.
She says that access to respite has still not recovered from the pandemic and the closure of community nursing units.
