Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I do not doubt the Taoiseach's personal commitment to this area and I do not disagree that changes must be made. I disagree fundamentally, however, with the fact that no analysis was done of the impact of across the board cutbacks before those changes were implemented.

About whom are we talking? These are children and young people with great difficulties in their personal lives because of the intellectual challenges they face, which leave them needing 24 hour care and attention, ranging from someone trying to understand their gestures to those with metabolic disorders and intellectual disabilities that cause serious behavioural problems. The consequences of the administration minding itself and cuts in frontline voluntary services impact directly on these children and young people and, as a consequence, on their families. I met some of them yesterday. That respite has been taken away, even for four hours once a month, impacts seriously on their lives. That is the consequence of such cutbacks.

When the Taoiseach says he wants to do all he can to help this area, I take the sentiment at face value but what has happened in the Department of Health and Children? What other choices are being made? In the Vote for the Department's budget, the administration budget has gone up by 11% to €42 million this year. That €4 million increase would keep the Daughters of Charity facilities open. The increase includes rises of 67% for office supplies, 104% for consultancy services and almost 600% for value for money reviews. The entertainment budget has been doubled from €100,000 to €200,000, which would keep one of the facilities open for this year.

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