Respite care in Kerry
Deputy Healy-Rae says respite care for children with disabilities in Kerry is inadequate and funding has not reached the county. The Ceann Comhairle redirects him, and the Minister says he cannot update on a specific centre but will alert the Minister of State to the concern.
I refer to respite care for children with mental and physical disabilities. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, travelled to County Kerry and announced that he had secured several million euro to address the issue. I can tell the House that a respite care service is only being provided for four families at a time in Kilmona in north Kerry. Why is St. Mary of the Angels in Beaufort not being allowed to continue to provide a respite care service for parents who are worn out? It would give them a chance to recharge their batteries. They are so low-----
Comment on this
The Deputy could table a parliamentary question about that matter or a Topical Issue.
Comment on this
The Minister of State announced that he was allocating money to deal with the issue but it has not reached County Kerry. We have to wait until the very last. Where is the money from the HSE? Why are people not receiving help? They are in a desperate state.
Comment on this
Like the Deputy, I acknowledge the needs of those who need a respite care service and the pressure they are under, but I am not in a position to update the Deputy on the supply of funding for a particular centre. If he raises the matter directly with the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, in a Topical Issue debate and so on, I know that he will respond. I will let the Minister of State know that the Deputy has raised the issue.