On page 5 of the programme for Government, there is a commitment to equality of opportunity and to support people with disabilities and maximise their potential by removing barriers that impact on access to services, education, work and health care. It states the Government should be guided by two principles, namely, equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities and their families. It also states: "With the peace of mind that service supports will remain available, we can empower people with disabilities to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and place them in a stronger position to tailor supports to meet their needs". Last weekend in Sligo, service users and families of people with disabilities who required respite services had to travel from Sligo to Carrickmacross, a 320 km round trip. The Taoiseach, as a family man, will know families have enough stress and worries without having that concern. They had to travel the distance in question despite the fact that a state-of-the-art respite centre was built six years ago to offer a service in the region. I now understand it is being used for decongregation. The Minister needs to consider this very seriously.

Deputy Michael Moynihan briefly on the same matter.

On the same matter, emergency funding was to be provided in 2017 for respite facilities and to give service users respite adjacent to their homes. Is it true that that funding, provided in 2017, is now being used to pay back money that was borrowed to provide respite services in 2016 and that there is no emergency funding available at all in 2017 for respite services? That is what is coming through to us from the HSE.

I take Deputy Scanlon's point in that I agree there is pressure in respect of respite beds and respite accommodation. I am not aware of the details of what he raised in respect of the new facility that was provided a number of years ago or what Deputy Michael Moynihan said about no emergency funding being available now, but I can confirm for the Deputies that the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has certainly raised this matter generally at Cabinet meetings on a number of occasions, particularly in respect of the stress on respite facilities. He is working on it. Perhaps I will have him contact both Deputies about the particular issues they raised.