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

I am glad the Minister of State agrees with this point, but it is a scandalous situation. In the same response, we were told that HSE Cork Kerry Community Healthcare disability services had received their letter of allocation of new funding under the service plan for 2023. This funding for CHO 4 is less than 50% of the usual annual development funding for this area for respite. There is no funding for residential respite services. On top of the reduction in beds, therefore, we are fundamentally talking about less funding being provided for CHO 4. As far as I am concerned, this is pure and utter madness. Additional funding must be made available for additional respite facilities and respite nights to meet the growing demand for this service. The Minister of State has given the example of the families in the context of Carrigaline Community Special School and I am glad she has addressed this issue. There are many others, however, who need this kind of provision as well. We must, therefore, address the issues of funding and beds.

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