As mentioned earlier, there is great emphasis in the programme for Government on A Vision for Change and care for the elderly and those with disabilities. In my constituency, that seems to be occurring through the privatisation of services. That is particularly evident in respect of the respite service in Sligo, where Solas House has been closed and we have been told that private providers will be using it. Patients have been moved out of St. John's Community Hospital, many of them into private nursing homes. In other cases, no service is being provided with the result that many people are left without any respite service and many are being brought, in absolute distress, to CAMHS. When will the Government realise the extent of this problem?

Will the Taoiseach do something to ensure that investment is put in place to provide services for people with disabilities, elder care and mental health services?

I call on Deputy Scanlon, on the same matter.

As referred to by Deputy Martin Kenny, we had a respite house built specifically to cater for the people in the Sligo-Leitrim region. That house has now been closed down. It was being used for decongregation. The people who were availing of the service must now travel to Monaghan. It is a 170 km round trip from Sligo or that general area to Monaghan and even that service is no longer available. The Minister needs to get something done about this problem. This is not just happening in our area; it is happening in every area of the country, as far as I can see.

Additional funding for elder care, people with disabilities, respite and decongregation will be provided in 2018. Any particular local issue would be best raised with the Minister for Health or the Minister of State with responsibility for disability services by parliamentary question.

I have done that many times.

A Topical Issue submission might help.

Yes.