Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A mother contacted my office this month who was at breaking point. She is a single mum with two sons aged 17 and 14, both of whom have profound intellectual disabilities. She had not had respite since before the pandemic. She thinks December 2019 was the last time she got a break, which was three and a half years ago. It is scandalous that someone has not had a break for this length of time. She and her two boys are suffering as a result of the failures of this Government. Respite was the only thing keeping her going and, naturally, she is finding this incredibly tough.

Many of the people we are talking about in this motion are incredibly selfless. They are the very best of people. They make great sacrifices for their loved ones with minimum fuss. We often talk about unsung heroes in this House. By and large, many of these people are not looking for any great song and dance. They just want a rest and respite. Is this so much to ask? It should not be.

Overnight respite services in Cork for children aged under 18 with an intellectual disability, physical disability or autism are delivered by the range of organisations the Minister of State listed a few minutes ago. The HSE stated in a response to a parliamentary question from my colleague Deputy Gould that there were 27 beds in Cork, but ten of these were suppressed and suspended due to staffing shortages. The Minister of State has addressed this and said she has been in contact with the authorities in Cork. We will have to wait and see in this regard. I hope this situation is resolved, but it is scandalous that these ten beds are going a-begging.

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