Norma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)

I join the Deputy in recognising the great work of Family Carers Ireland. Spending on respite services for people with disabilities is about €134 million annually. Since 2020 there has been a significant increase in this funding, of 58%. The Deputy is quite correct to put it in the context of the upcoming budget negotiations that we need to do more in this space also.

The HSE is about to undertake an audit of respite services across the country, which will also be very helpful and allow us to clearly identify where there is a particular dearth of service. That will be quite significant to us.

I do not underestimate the value of respite. It gives families an opportunity for a break but it is also very good for the service user as well. It is a different environment and provides other opportunities. It is very much a focus. I hope that the discussions and the negotiations we have for the budget will be able to do something positive.

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