Following yesterday's question to the Taoiseach on the programme for Government commitment on people with disabilities, he gave a very warm response on the Government's embracing of respite care. I have been following this very carefully as a huge number of parents are screaming out for respite care. In the discussions I have had with people in the sector and officials within the HSE, I am still being told there is a huge reluctance in the Department of Finance to commit money to respite care. I am told the amount of money being offered for respite care in 2018 is a pittance having regard to what is needed. I ask the Taoiseach for a firm commitment because officials are telling me there is no priority within the Department of Finance to fund respite care for 2018 notwithstanding the crying need for it. I meet parents every day who are in dire straits and need respite care. As I said yesterday, they were promised one week in every quarter but they got four full days in 2017. That is simply unacceptable.

On page 74 of the programme for Government document, there is a short paragraph which refers to "a stronger voice for carers". It states the Government supports the first ever carers' strategy, which was published in 2012, and is fully committed to implementing it. There are a number of things in the strategy, including respite care. However, respite care is in absolute disarray in my constituency, as it is in many areas nationally as Deputy Michael Moynihan said. Solas House in Sligo was built a number of years ago to provide respite services to people in the region, but it is now being closed. It is being suggested that people hire private carers to come to the home to look after the person in exchange for respite. That is completely inappropriate. Is the Government going to put money into the budget for the direct provision of respite by the HSE to these people?

The programme for Government also states that the Government supports an increase in carer's allowance and carer's benefit. Will both of those payments be increased in the upcoming budget?

I cannot provide the House with any specific budgetary commitments today and, for reasons Members understand, will be unable to do so until the Estimates and budget are published. Health budget priorities are, ultimately, not decisions for the Department of Finance. They are decisions for the Department of Health and the HSE, which have the largest budget in the history of the State for health and social care. Ultimately, prioritisation within any budget is not a matter for the Department of Finance, rather it is a matter for the line Department and, in this case, the HSE.