Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yet again, we are here highlighting the plight of the families in Louth looking for respite care for their loved ones. When I came into this House, I gave a commitment that I would champion the cause of people with disabilities collaboratively with my colleagues in the Dáil and Seanad. We have continued to highlight that issue to the Minister of State. Like Deputy O'Dowd, I thank the Minister of State for his interest in trying to solve the problem not just in Louth, but across the country. In respect of Louth, it took the "Prime Time" programme entitled "Carers in Crisis" for many of us to realise the difficulty faced by these families due to the lack of respite care, which is clearly not just a crisis in Louth, but across the country. These families have been left alone to cope.

Despite all the parliamentary questions we have put and all the opportunities to raise the matter under the Order of Business or Questions on Promised Legislation, this is the second, if not the third, Topical Issue on this matter. A resolution can be found. We have put a series of proposals to the Minister of State over a period of time and I am sure Department officials have looked at them. Praxis Care has recently purchased a property in Dundalk and the Talbot Group has an ideal property in Balbriggan. I am sure that with the Minister of State's help and encouragement, a resolution can, hopefully, be found in my constituency. The figures in County Louth have always been skewed because of the St. John of God operation in Drumcar and the funding it receives, which covers a lot of people across the country. I would welcome a statement from the Minister of State that these facilities, which are badly needed in Louth, will be provided urgently.

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