The programme for Government gives a clear commitment to improve the lives of families and people with disabilities. Deputies across the House will be aware that respite care is a crisis for families across the country, and not least in County Louth. Following funding applications which have been made to the HSE for a unit for respite care in Louth which would provide for some 60 or 70 families in at 12 month period, premises have been identified and purchased by Praxis Care. The only thing that is preventing the project from happening is a commitment from the Government, through the HSE, to provide the funding. Will the Taoiseach ring-fence the money for this project immediately? There is no doubt that many families would benefit who are in serious crisis. I will continue to raise this issue until the Government realises that there is a major crisis in respite care, particularly in my own county.

This will probably be a matter for the HSE national service plan for 2018 but the Deputy might put a Topical Issue question to the Minister for Health of the Minister of State with responsibility for disability who might be able to give a more detailed answer.

I have done that already.

On behalf of the Government, I acknowledge that there is a deficit in the availability of respite care for those who need it. From our constituency clinics, we all appreciate the extent to which a day or two a week or a week or two a year can be a lifeline for families and carers who need a break themselves. It is something I am conscious of and it will be discussed at the Cabinet subcommittee on health tomorrow.