Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

In respect of the 20 year review of the Jack and Jill Foundation, a wonderful organisation, the issue of the in loco parentisrule arose. It is a very hard rule on the sickest children in this country. Jack and Jill nurses, who are inspirational, come in to give some respite and look after a sick child for an hour or whatever. Now the HSE insists that under this new rule, the parent must stay in the house with the child. This is totally against the spirit of what respite is, and respite is much needed for those very sick children. This has to be examined, especially in respect of Jack and Jill which does such wonderful work for children and is extending its services to children up to the age of five. They have increased it by a year not through Government funding, but through money from companies.

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