Mr. Stephen Mulvany:

The Senator raised a question about respite care and disability services. We had a budget this year of approximately €54 million, which allows us to provide a level of respite to about 6,500 people per quarter. Is there more demand than this? Absolutely. Our task is to try to provide as much of this service as possible within the resources available and to make best use of that resource for the people who need it. The number we are funding is 6,500 per quarter. In fairness, the figure of €54 million is up approximately €10 million since last year. The Minister secured a specific investment of €10 million which has been very helpful. We are not saying we could not spend more in that area, but that is the level of resource and that is what it currently provides for.