Denis Naughten (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What I am looking for here is a small bit of discretion with the social welfare officers rather than having the 18.5 hours set in stone. We are probably speaking about maybe 15 or 20 people in total across the State who would avail of this where their son or daughter is in full-time education or training, he or she is picked up in the morning and dropped home in the evening and for the rest of the week the parent provides full-time care. None of us here can question the level of care and I know that is not what the Minister is doing. What we are looking for here is a small amount of flexibility for these 15 or 20 cases around the country if the parent wants to take part in education for their own mental health to get them out of the home. It benefits everyone and the parent will be able to provide more effective care when their son or daughter comes back from education or training.

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