Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

To go back to the Deputy's original question, the plan is to have the full complement of children's disability network teams in place by the end of 2018. As I said, we have to deal with the industrial relations issues but I am confident they will be hammered out.

On the funding issue, the Deputy can take it that we are pushing very strongly for support for that. With the support of the Minister - I also mentioned this matter at Government level recently - we will be prioritising early intervention services for children in the Estimates discussions that will take place with the HSE in the coming weeks. We have already started that process. I am also prioritising the urgent need for emergency residential places for people with intellectual disabilities with older parents. Some Deputies have spoken to me privately about that issue. I am prioritising those issues because the current delays are unacceptable.

The HSE is providing the funding to enhance accommodation for the teams in question. Accommodation is urgently needed. This is a matter in respect of which we need to respond.

See this speech in context