Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise a very important matter that was brought to my attention again at my clinic in Scott's Hotel on Saturday by a deputation of parents of children with special needs, our special children who are now young adults.

The question is about the lack of adult respite services in County Kerry. How is it acceptable that there is only one adult respite house in Kerry to service the whole of Kerry and part of Cork? Parents in certain places are having to travel a round trip of over two hours to drop off their sons and daughters and collect them in the evening before dropping them to their day services. Last year, parents were told there were more than 80 people waiting on a list to get into respite houses. Members of the group I met on Saturday have been waiting more than two years without any services. This is totally unacceptable. Most of these young adults availed of children's respite service for years but as they turn 18 and 19 years of age, there is nothing for them at the most vulnerable time in their lives when they are leaving school and moving into adult day care services. They are growing up and becoming young adults. It is causing a lot of distress to these parents.

I want to explain this to the Taoiseach in a very human way. When I was with this group, this deputation, on Saturday, and I know every Member of the House will understand what I mean, I could see a tiredness in their eyes and a weariness in them. All they are looking for is respite. They are more than willing to and capable of keeping their special child at home in their own environment. They want to do that and they will do that in the best way. As long as they are breathing, they will do it but what they want is respite. I am very grateful for the respite services that we got in north Kerry and for the great people on the ground locally. I recognise and thank every political contribution that was made in this regard, but we should all be pulling together. Killarney and its environs comprise a very big area. We have very special children there - I say children but I should say young adults, of course - who are turning 18 and 19 years of age. We want to be able to offer their families the respite they need. I am making this heartfelt plea to the Taoiseach and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, who I know met with representatives of this group in the past. I very much recognise and appreciate her work in this field but I want to see delivery of this service in the Killarney area for these very nice families. All they want is a thing called fair play.

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