Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have given the Deputy many examples of the kinds of things that the Government has done in the last seven years, such as a major increase in funding for disability services, the almost total reversal of the welfare cuts made by Fianna Fáil for people with disabilities, and the extension of medical cards as a right to children with severe disabilities. They are very real things which have really made a difference for real people. We have targeted three things we particularly want to do this year with regard to disabilities. The first is a significant improvement in respite. Some 12 new respite houses will open across the country. We are confident that we will get them all open through the course of the year. The Deputy will know that respite is a lifeline for families. Sometimes, the fact that they can get some respite keeps them going.

See this speech in context