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

We allocated an extra €10 million for respite last year, which has allowed us to establish a new respite house in each community healthcare organisation area. They may not all be up and running yet but I know are lot of them are and where they are up and running they have made a difference in providing additional respite, something that is so valuable to carers, gives them an important break from their caring duties and allows them to continue. The service plan for 2019 is not yet formulated but the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is committed to respite, home help and home care in particular. Approximately €150 million in additional funding is being provided for social care. We all need to work together to make sure the money goes to the people who need it, namely, the patients and the service users, and not anyone else.

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