Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask the Taoiseach about the issue of respite services, especially in the north west. I know the Taoiseach has answered questions previously from Deputy MacSharry around Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, CAMHS, which is a similar service, but there are issues with both of them. There are people in the Gallery who have met with the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, about it. While we can quote summary statistics from across the country the reality is that in many areas families are not getting a service. We have people in Sligo and the north west who have not had respite for more than one year. Will the Taoiseach ensure that adequate provision is put in place? We need to see more resources put in to these blackspots. There are a couple of blackspots around the State, and Kerry is another area that has a problem in this regard. In Sligo, the Solis centre has been closed and put as residential care, where it was a purpose built respite service. Will the Taoiseach ensure it can be re-opened and that decision reversed?

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