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

There is an absolute recognition not just by the HSE but by the Minister that additional supports and additional funds need to be put in place specifically for these groups of individuals, the adults in their 40s and 50s who are living at home with their parents, who are in their 70s and 80s. It is absolutely not a situation in which they should be, and additional support needs to be provided for adults with high support needs and those in emergency and crisis situations.

However, we do find ourselves in a situation in which we have limited resources. We must work within the budgetary constraints, all the while trying to provide support for the most vulnerable in our society. The Deputy is right. In my own county of Meath, we need additional support and additional respite for our children, young adults and the parents of those people as well.

To outline the specifics in County Louth, funding for this year for children's respite from six to 18 years amounts to €438,000. For adult intellectual respite, there is €531,000. For adult physical and sensory respite, there is €440,000. Of the €31 million allocated for the adult intellectual disability and children's respite in St. John of God, a portion of that is going to Louth. The Minister and I agree that this is not enough. Again, a case has to be put forward and, within the constraints of the budget, every effort will be made to provide support and respite for those who need it most.

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