Paul Donnelly (Dublin West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

On page 73 of the programme for Government, there is a promise to develop a carer's proposal that would provide a core budget for services for carers across the State and ensure that the most effective interventions are provided for each individual. I will give three examples to the Tánaiste from our constituency. There is Alan, who loves the freedom of walking to his local centre in Blakestown, which has been closed during the Covid pandemic and will hopefully be opened in September. James is five years of age and lives in Corduff but as there are no bus services, his mother has to pay €70 per day to get to the Navan Road. Carl is 32 and is up in Littlepace and is desperately missing his friends in that service. I know there is promised legislation on all of these things around carers and disability but these people need their services to be open now. They are really struggling. I urge that any action that can be taken be taken immediately.

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