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

This year the HSE will provide 182,500 overnight and 42,500 day respite sessions throughout the country. CHO 4 has provided 17,000 respite nights and 2,000 respite day services to people with a disability, while in excess of 900 people with a disability have accessed respite services across the CHO. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien's point is very important. We are putting €1.8 billion into our social care for 2019 but there are issues with the funding. I often ask, in the course of my discussions with the HSE and the Department, why not enough of this filters down to people on the ground. I have set three objectives, which include investing in services and reforming services. I have spoken to parents in Kerry, Cork and Donegal and I will push those points because if there are gaps, they have to be dealt with. There has to be a change in mindset in this House, the HSE, the Department of Health and everybody else so that the focus is on the person with the disability. That is my job as Minister of State and it has been my focus for the past three years.

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