Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The final issue raised was respite services. I appreciate the support I have received from the committee and other colleagues, as well as the strong support I have received from the Minister the Department of Health and the HSE. We accepted before Christmas that there was a huge crisis in respite services.

This is why we got together with our colleagues in government and in opposition to look for extra funding. We received an additional €10 million on top of this year's budget to enhance the respite service and the disability sector. Of this, €8 million is for an extra 19,000 nights respite care on a full year basis. These are to be provided in ten new dedicated respite houses throughout the HSE community health organisation areas. There will be three in the greater Dublin area. The other €2 million has been put away in a special pocket for innovative respite solutions, such as home sharing or extended day services, to provide assistance where people need it most.