Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response. One term stands out to me, namely "ad hoc." Up to now, much of this has been ad hoc- based on individual counties, HSE departments and disability services - and it has been up to the individual groups to provide the service as they saw fit. We have been very lucky in Meath that the HSE disability service has provided this funding. I know the Minister of State said some applications were not submitted in time, but we are talking about six children. A system has now been put in place and I thank the Minister and all the different Departments for this, as it has been a cross-departmental effort to put it in place. The additional funding has been secured and they really engaged with all the different groups. I know from working with Meath Fight for the Future that this group met with the Minister, Deputy Reilly, and many of their concerns have been taken on board. I am sure that has happened across the board.

I stress that we are talking about six children. It is not a lot of money. The funding is coming through the HSE and, while it is saying it cannot do this at a local level, I am asking at a national level whether this funding can be made available. Ten months is a long time in the life of a child and that is what we are talking about between now and next September. If the Minister of State could relay this to the Minister, I would appreciate it. We are talking about six children here. It is not a lot of money and it is not something that would be sought again next year. It is just for ten months.

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