When the Government was formed three years ago, it made a major budgetary commitment on the provision of respite care. A sum of €10 million was allocated in the first budget. Now, in the early stages of 2019, respite care is in a serious crisis, with parents of people with intellectual disabilities unable to access respite care. They have been told, through their service providers, that funding is not coming through from the Health Service Executive. The HSE seems to be centralising power and making decisions concerning all parts of the country, rather than having decisions made by the service providers as was the case previously. This is a major crisis. Already, in the early months of 2019, parents are being told there is no money for respite care this year.

I am aware of the issue the Deputy raises. I spoke yesterday with Mr. Ger Reaney, the CEO of the community healthcare organisation, CHO, in the area Deputy Michael Moynihan and I represent. This matter falls within the direct remit of the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. This is a challenge and a large budget will be needed to meet existing demand in full. There has been some progress and some significant successes in the area. The €10 million provided has resulted in the opening of a number of new respite facilities. While we cannot take from the progress that has been made, we are certainly not yet close to where we would like to be. That will remain a challenge for some years.