There are three speakers left. I again ask that they confine themselves to putting their questions.

The issue I want to raise is in regard to home help services in the north west. Many elderly people receive that service and benefit from it. However, during the Covid period, as we know, people looking for respite in a nursing home cannot get it as they normally would and are applying for community respite. I have one constituent - there are many people in the same situation - who has sought community respite but cannot get it. There has been no effort made by the HSE to recruit additional people to provide that service. This particular person has been allocated ten hours per week but can only be provided with four.

The Deputy has put his question.

This is an issue that needs to be dealt with as quickly as possible.

The Deputy has raised an important issue that requires a response. I will have to ask the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Butler, to make contact with the Deputy and give him a response. Unfortunately, I do not have any detail on it.