Brian Walsh (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I note the Minister of State's response indicated this must be catered for within existing budgets. I again stress to her that in the case of the Brothers of Charity in Galway, this simply is not there as the budget has been cut to the bone as it is. What will happen is some families who may be receiving two or three nights of respite per month will become the focus of the cuts. Such respite is a lifeline for them and as it is the only respite they receive, I again appeal to the Minister of State. I note that €10 million was found last year to look after demographic funding. The Galway services looked after five school leavers with profound intellectual disabilities, at a cost of €270,000, but that figure now has risen to eight. While 44 people are leaving the Galway services, eight of those children have profound intellectual disabilities and I again appeal to the Minister of State to examine closely the budgets to try to re-establish this fund for 2012.

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