The programme for Government contains a commitment to carers. A respite care crisis is unfolding in counties Cavan and Monaghan. I have been contacted by numerous distressed, frustrated and exasperated parents who are the sole carers for their children with intellectual disabilities, and who desperately need their very short but extremely important weekend respite care. These parents have reported that their respite care is being cancelled at short notice, which causes further distress to them, as they desperately need a break to recuperate. Will the Tánaiste confirm that he will ensure adequate respite hours and carers will be provided and that he will investigate the crisis unfolding for parents in Cavan and Monaghan?

Last year, right up to when the HSE plan was put in place, the Government kept telling us that additional funding would be available for respite care and for the shared care option, especially for parents of children with intellectual disabilities. There is little or no respite care available; there are only one or two days available in a 12-month period. It is shocking. We need to focus and make sure there is adequate respite care put in place. With the HSE service plan being negotiated currently and about to be launched, will adequate funding be provided to cover the respite care that is needed and that has been lacking for the past two years?

This year, an extra €10 million has been announced in respect of improving respite services provision. This additional funding has provided for 12 new respite houses that have opened. When fully operational, the programme will provide an additional 19,000 overnights and 2,520 home-sharing nights annually. These services are getting a lot more money and new facilities are opening up. I accept, however, that there are parts of the country where respite services are not what they need to be. I will ask the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, to come back to both Deputies on the matter.