Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Ferris again for raising the issue. As far as I am aware, the figure he is looking for is between four and six beds. His proposals on the funding, costs and savings are something we should look at clearly. In the negotiations for this year's social care and disability service plan, the overall budget was set at €1.688 billion, which is an increase of €96.3 million or 6% on last year. I am going to go back to the people involved in the distribution of funding. Under that budget, we managed to secure 8,400 residential places, 182 respite overnights, 1.4 million PA hours for 2,400 people, 24,800 day places, 41,000 day respite sessions and €2.7 million for home support hours for 7,500 people. A service is there with a budget of €16.2 million to deal with emergency cases and within that sum there is funding for the new home supports in home respite for emergency cases. That is the approach I will be taking.

We need to ensure that when we provide funding for a house like the one Deputy Ferris mentioned in Listowel, we have the resources to provide the service. I will continue to pursue additional funds to increase the level of respite provision in Kerry. The HSE will continue to work with the service providers to explore all options regarding the provision of respite for all the adults in Kerry. Where residential respite is not available, the HSE and I will endeavour to work with those families and service providers to increase the support available through home support hours and day services. Of course, I will go back and make Deputy Ferris's issue a priority. As far as I am concerned, it is unacceptable.

See this speech in context