The Before We Die campaign advocates for the availability of choice and quality residential housing for adults with intellectual disabilities. The question that all parents, especially those in their 70s and 80s, ask is this: "What will happen to my son or daughter when we are no longer able to care for them?". A parent told me recently that the very thought of this keeps them awake for nights on end. There is no answer to the question. Years of underfunding and lack of planning mean that the system is in crisis. Ageing parents, who may be ill themselves, are left carrying the can. When will the Government provide the additional 900 supported residential places that are needed? When will the waiting times for adults needing this type of accommodation be reduced? When will people with intellectual disabilities and their families be included in the decision-making process for these residential places?

I met with the Before We Die campaign group and we had a very good discussion. These are very serious issues. There needs to be stronger co-ordination between local authorities, section 39 bodies and Government Departments, particularly the Department of housing and the Department of disability.

I am placing it on the agenda of the next Cabinet subcommittee meeting with a view to creating a structure that will work to support families in this situation. There are a lot of issues we have to work through. I do not have the length of time to go through it all here but suffice to say it is not enough. The HSE will say it looks after moderate to severe disabilities. There has to be a continuum of care, of sheltered housing and of supported housing, depending on the needs of a given individual.

I thank the Taoiseach. I call Deputy O'Callaghan.

Between the local authorities, Government and the approved housing bodies, we should be able to create a structure that is proactively supporting families in this situation.