Comedian Conor Keys has urged the Department of Health to expand respite services for families caring for children with additional needs.

Keys, from Omagh, cares full-time for his daughter Ruby, who has severe learning difficulties and can display sudden challenging behaviour.

He said the absence of suitable respite options has left many households without relief, particularly since the pandemic, and warned that more children may face emergency situations without adequate facilities.

Keys described routine tasks such as having a cup of tea as impossible when his daughter is present, noting that she may throw or knock items.

He added that school holidays remove structure and increase pressure, saying he now looks forward to Monday mornings for a break.

The Department of Health stated that additional regional funding has supported new short-break placements and other initiatives across the five health trusts.

The Western Health Trust confirmed that short-break provision at two residential facilities in Omagh and Derry/Londonderry was paused to accommodate longer-term placements and that efforts are underway to restore capacity at the Derry/Londonderry site.