Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as ucht an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a ardú inniu. We hear the passion Deputy Cahill brings to this issue. The future use of the site is currently under consideration by a working group. The Minister, Deputy Foley, wants to assure Deputy Cahill that this Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities, which will empower them to live their lives, provide greater independence in accessing their services and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. The Department and the HSE are aware of the demand for respite services in Kerry. The Deputy has outlined that with great passion and vigour, in terms of what the constituents are saying in Kerry, and they are right. As outlined in the programme for Government, in response to this the Government is committed to increasing funding and the provision of respite services. Significant investment has been allocated to respite in recent years. It has gone from €6.4 million in 2019 to €12.4 million in 2024, which is an almost 100% increase in a six year period. The HSE advises that further regional respite services are being developed throughout Kerry to meet the needs of people closer to home, in locations that best meet the needs and minimise travel to services. The HSE will continue to work with service providers and families to develop the needs that Deputy Cahill rightly outlines in Kerry.

See this speech in context