Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support that proposal. We need to have quite an in-depth discussion with the HSE on disability services. One of the things about which we could correspond with the HSE beforehand is the level of services provided by comparison with the level of funding provided for each region. For example, in the community healthcare organisation, CHO, that my constituency falls under, I am aware that different criteria apply in the availability of respite care for children with disabilities. In Cavan and Monaghan, and I think in Donegal, there is a very high threshold, which means that many families that are desperately in need of such respite care cannot avail of it regardless of their circumstances if their child has been adjudged not to have a disability that is severe enough. If the same child were in a different county, he or she would be able to avail of respite services. That is unacceptable. I see nothing in terms of financial allocation that would result in such a disparity whereby some counties have fewer supports and services available. If we are bringing in the HSE on that issue, we should include that as a matter for consideration. I am told that across the State, on a macro level, the disparities are stark. Children and their families are being discriminated against in respect of the types of services available to them simply based on where they live, which is something we cannot tolerate in our health services.