Ms Kate Duggan:

Two issues arise there. One is respite for the foster carers and the other relates to respite for the child. I do not know the specific case concerning the child presenting with autism. A specific type of respite placement may be provided by the Health Service Executive. If Deputy Murphy could give me the detail of the particular case she has outlined, I will follow through on it. We are working on a joint protocol with the HSE. It involves working much more collaboratively where we have children in care who have complex needs or disabilities.