As a former Minister for Education and Skills, the Minister will be aware of the importance of continuing education, particularly for people with disabilities. Ireland was the last of the EU countries to ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Is the Minister aware of the absolute disconnect with the HSE having no facilities suitable to provide training and ongoing education for people over 18 years of age who have a severe disability? When will we see a proper planning process? There has been 18 years to plan for the future of these people and yet their families are told there is nowhere for them to go to continue their education. We are simply paying lip service to the convention.

As the Deputy acknowledges in his question, the issue of education beyond the age of 18 does not fall within the remit of the Department of Education and Skills. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has made significant efforts to extend the provision for adults with a disability, with new day places and new services. The Deputy is right that this is continuing pressure and he is chasing an area of rising demand. It has proved especially challenging. I know that each year extra provision is being made. It is to be hoped we will be able to continue to do that in forthcoming budgets.