Michael Cahill (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State and her officials. Recently she visited St. Mary of the Angels and St. Francis special school in Beaufort, County Kerry. The site is a very special place in the heart of mid-Kerry. The site was originally donated by the Doyle family to provide facilities for children with profound disabilities and special needs. We are no different from any other county, but there is a chronic shortage of respite care in County Kerry. I have met parents individually and collectively who told me their harrowing stories about trying to get a break once or twice a year. It seems a no-brainer to almost everyone that there are unused buildings on the campus in Whitefield in Beaufort. The site is comprised of 30 acres of prime development land and there are existing facilities, yet there seems to be a stand-off. Since our last committee meeting I attended a meeting on Monday about the site and I am very concerned that the wishes of the Doyle family will not be followed through.

The place has been visited by a number of Ministers now, including the Minister of State present. The Minister, Deputy Norma Foley, has visited. The Minister of State, Deputy Michael Moynihan, has visited. Other Ministers plan to visit. There is some momentum but I am concerned that nothing will happen. We have been told that the Government will prioritise the disability sector so this is an opportune time to raise this issue. Any help that the Minister of State, her colleagues and this committee can give to this issue would be greatly appreciated. We need to bring all the sides together on this issue. As I keep saying, it is the location in the heart of the county, more than anything else, that makes this worth pursuing, especially in light of the shortage of respite care everywhere in County Kerry. There is only a handful of beds available and there are many families and individuals involved who beg for help. I am making a plea for assistance on their behalf.