Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)

I thank Deputy Naughten for sharing his time with me. I also wish to highlight the plight of many elderly parents and siblings in the Ballinasloe and south Roscommon area who care for young adults and children with learning disabilities. The Brothers of Charity have indicated that a cutback of €2.75 million will have to be imposed this year. Such a restriction would make it impossible to deliver the services to which people are accustomed. Over the years, these parents have begged and cajoled various Ministers to provide funding for the services needed by such people. As Deputy Naughten said, care is required in many cases 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. What are elderly parents supposed to do if these services are closed? Will the Government take responsibility for making provision for the most vulnerable people in our society, who need help now? Many elderly parents are worried about what will happen to their children when they have moved on. The Acting Chairman, Deputy Michael Kitt, is familiar with the issues in the Ballinasloe area. The same cutbacks have been suffered by each of this country's 60 voluntary organisations that assists children with learning disabilities. How can any Minister or Government stand over such cuts? I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, will clearly outline in his reply that emergency funding is to be provided to allow these parents to get some relief.

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