Martin Kenny (Sligo-Leitrim, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

As other speakers have noted, this legislation is about moving responsibility for a particular sector from one Minister to another. It will not have the effect we would very much like to see, which is the provision of additional funding and resources in this area. There will be clarity now in that responsibility for disability services will be under the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, retaining her function in that area. There is still a great deal of work to be done. The optional UN protocol has not been implemented, which would give people legal recourse. That move needs to happen urgently.

As the Minister of State is aware, the North West Parents and Friends Association in my constituency provides many services for children and adults with disabilities. I have spoken to her before about how that organisation is continually under-resourced. It is based in Sligo and has outreach services in Leitrim and other areas. The stories I hear of the difficulties it faces in getting service level agreements in place to provide adequate service to the children and adults it deals with are heartbreaking. The service is continually in battle with the HSE. I encourage the Minister of State to step in and play a positive role in changing that. I invite her to the constituency to meet with the people involved, particularly the staff of St. Ciaran's service in Carrick-on-Shannon, which provides both day services and respite services. I am aware of a situation whereby one service user will have to go into full-time care, which is having a knock-on effect in that others are unable to access respite care.

This type of situation is a reflection of an ongoing problem whereby we do not have in place the facilities and services that are needed. There is a genuine sense of fear and apprehension among parents who are ageing and are very fearful their adult child who lives with them and whom they want to care for and look after for as long as they possibly can may well outlive them and what will happen then. The stress and mental torture of that is one of the key issues. Those parents look at the current service and wonder where it will be in five or ten years' time when they are not able to cope or are no longer here. This is the issue that needs to be addressed and new facilities must be put in place. Action is what we require. There have been numerous plans but what is needed is action. I encourage the Minister of State to ensure that happens. I trust she will come to my constituency and meet the parents involved.

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