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

I thank the Senator for his contribution this morning. For the Department of Health, I apologise to the Senator, his son and to other families for the lived experience that the Senator articulated. It was a very powerful contribution for the simple reason that it is the lived experience in the room. I cannot bring that type of conversation to the table. I tried to address that in my opening statement with regard to aids and appliances. While it does not fall within my remit, I hear continuously about the lack of access to aids and appliances. That is to do with the basic needs to exist.

I met Eoghan yesterday. He is getting older and the delivery of his PA support is very important to him to live an independent and full life. That is why I managed to increase the budget fivefold. In the last budgetary period we went from €600,000 to €3 million. The HSE is delivering that now so we can ensure he has the best possible support to lead as independent a life as possible. Undoubtedly, I cannot apologise enough for not receiving services since 2011. That is not right. It is wrong.