Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I absolutely agree with everything Deputy Breathnach has said. It is universally true in every home in Louth where there are people with disabilities. There is an absolute lack of clarity, support and services. Yet, at the same time, more than €30 million is spent on the services of St. John of God's. It is reducing its services but is not giving the funding back to the HSE or to other groups that want to provide the services. It is not doing its job.

I appreciate the Minister of State's commitment to increased funding for Louth. What the Minister of State needs to do is attend the meeting with us, the HSE and Drumcar to sort it out once and for all. These families deserve better. No later than this afternoon, I got a call from a constituent who has a 21-year old disabled son who never got respite. Despite applying for it, they got no answer this year - no answer at all. It is a disgrace and is unacceptable. I appreciate the Minister of State's hands-on involvement in all the issues we bring to his attention. I ask him to please deal with this issue. We will talk to him after this debate to get action and commitments.

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