Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Deputy. On alternative respite and who decides, data is really important but the HSE decides in conjunction with the Department. Alternative respite is really important. I am of the view that we also need overnight respite and we cannot just have one over the other. To answer the question, it is the HSE in conjunction with the Department. Respite is largely provided by section 38 and section 39 organisations, as the Deputy knows.

On transport, we engaged with the National Transport Authority, NTA, which works closely with providers. It is in that context we work on transport. We will also work on it as part of the national disability strategy. The Minister for Transport will be engaging in this regard. When the national disability strategy is published, that is not the end of it. It is a living document and will be updated constantly. It needs to be flexible to respond to the needs of the day. It will be a plan out to 2030 but we need to constantly change it and engage with the disability sector.