Donegal respite care cancellation
Deputy Pearse Doherty raised the cancellation of respite care across Donegal and the strain on carers linked to pressure at Letterkenny University Hospital. After procedural exchanges, the Tánaiste said the Minister for Health would contact him directly about the issue.
The programme for Government states, "We wish to see greater involvement of family carers in the preparation of care plans, aiding the provision of care, together with more accessible training and respite care, to facilitate full support." Those are fine words. Will the Tánaiste explain to the carers in Donegal why respite care has been cancelled throughout the county, with no one knowing when it will be returned? This has happened because of the immense pressure on Letterkenny University Hospital. It is disgusting that carers have found themselves in this situation. Their plans have had to be cancelled at short notice and they do not know when they will get respite from the care for their loved ones.
Comment on this
The Chief Whip should know that it is a commitment in the programme for Government. If she is not happy that the Government can fulfil that commitment to the people of Donegal, then she should get out of her office.
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Never mind "more accessible"; there is no respite care.