Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

To clarify, I have experienced no resistance within either Department. I am supported well today by the Department of Health and have been warmly welcomed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. I am supported by both Ministers and both Secretaries General in the transfer. Perhaps one of them will be delighted to see me go and another will be delighted to see me come, but we will say no more about that and it is okay. As for the HSE, as I explained earlier in response to Deputy Durkan, I have put in place a system that may be a little more granular than that which was there in the past. I have a good working relationship with the HSE within the system that exists, because we need to get answers.

On the purchase of properties, it is important to put on record - I think the Chairman will understand why I am saying this - that there are many ageing families who care for people with disabilities, and we do not have enough property to support or meet their needs. At all times, those individuals are trumped by crisis emergencies that come in ahead of them. What I am trying to do with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, therefore, is to build in capacity while, at the same time, meeting the emergency needs. When a provider sources a house, it does so in good faith. It could be taking account of its book or its need for respite or residential care, and a property might not be available at that point in time, but it knows the needs of its families. That is what providers are trying to address. They are trying to relieve that anxiety, stress and pressure on families, and sometimes the property might not be at the desired location. While we are building Housing for All and will, through the Government, I hope, deliver the houses that are required, it is my one desire that we ensure there are houses with universal design in town centre locations that meet the needs. For once, we should not work off a key performance indicator, KPI, of debt to meet the needs of families but rather meet the needs and build in the capacity in advance. We should work with providers to ensure the needs and the providers' waiting lists will be met.

That takes planning but it is happening.