Ms Rosaleen Doonan:

It would make sense for the Department of Health to be responsible. However, let us consider the matter from a different perspective. If the Department for Health had responsibility and if the supports were coming from the Department of Protection - like all supports, these would be viewed as a drain on the economy - how would that sit with people? I am not even going to discuss paying family carers because that is not the route to go. I am stating that there needs to be national recognition for what they are doing. As Ms Mulligan stated, we need, as a society, to step up to the mark. In fairness, there was never an issue ten or 20 years ago because a grandmother or someone with a mild disability would have been cared for at home. At that time one did not need the services one requires now. People used to be transported to hospital on special beds and stretchers in ambulances, now they are being sent home from hospital with all sorts of paraphernalia in tow. As acting director of nursing in Our Lady's Hospital in Manorhamilton, Ms McEniff is very aware of that and she is very involved in this area. The position has shifted and we need to catch up. That is where the real problem lies.