Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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I would like to share my time with Deputy Burke.

Michael Kitt (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
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Is that agreed? Agreed.

Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Outside the gates of Leinster House yesterday, the parents and families of children with intellectual disabilities protested about cutbacks in the services provided to such people. At the same time, certain Government Deputies had a crisis of conscience in this Chamber with regard to stag hunting. We have not heard a dickie bird from them about the decision to give €22,000 million to a septic bank. The most vulnerable people in society, many of whom cannot speak for themselves, will have to carry on their shoulders the debt resulting from that decision. The crisis I am raising has resulted from the decision of the HSE to take €15 million more than was agreed from the intellectual disability budget. People with intellectual disabilities, along with their families and carers, are terrified that services which are vital to people with disabilities will be withdrawn.

I wish to refer to a letter I have received from the Ballinasloe Advocates group, which highlights the massive cuts that are proposed to vital services in the east Galway and south Roscommon area. The group in question comprises parents who are trying to manage as best they can, sometimes in intolerable situations, as they care for people who pose various challenges and require care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. The letter states "we strove and begged during the "Celtic Tiger" years and received what could be described as minuscule improvements". They were given the scraps from the table, year in year out, and now they are facing severe cuts in the services they need. The HSE has left the Brothers of Charity in Roscommon and Ballinasloe with no option other than to introduce significant restrictions. This significant impact of this measure on valuable day, respite and residential services will cause untold hardship for parents of people with intellectual disabilities. It is likely that some services will have to close completely from January 2011. These cuts will lead to the amalgamation of a number of homes, with consequent effects on residents. I have already written to the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney, to express my health and safety concerns about one of these facility in County Roscommon.

The unexpected moratorium cut that was proposed and introduced by the HSE has caused us enormous problems. The Brothers of Charity are unable to fill vacancies that arise, even in front line positions, despite the Government's contention that the moratorium would not affect vital services. This matter has been brought to the attention of local HSE staff and the Minister of State, Deputy Moloney. It is galling for service providers to be told by the HSE and the Government to cut their non-existent administration budget, at a time when the Department of Health and Children has increased its budget for office supplies by 67%, its budget for consultancy services by 600% and its entertainment budget from €100,000 to €200,000. These appalling facts demonstrate the lack of priority of this Government, which is turning its back on the most vulnerable people in our community.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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I thank Deputy Naughten for sharing his time with me. I also wish to highlight the plight of many elderly parents and siblings in the Ballinasloe and south Roscommon area who care for young adults and children with learning disabilities. The Brothers of Charity have indicated that a cutback of €2.75 million will have to be imposed this year. Such a restriction would make it impossible to deliver the services to which people are accustomed. Over the years, these parents have begged and cajoled various Ministers to provide funding for the services needed by such people. As Deputy Naughten said, care is required in many cases 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. What are elderly parents supposed to do if these services are closed? Will the Government take responsibility for making provision for the most vulnerable people in our society, who need help now? Many elderly parents are worried about what will happen to their children when they have moved on. The Acting Chairman, Deputy Michael Kitt, is familiar with the issues in the Ballinasloe area. The same cutbacks have been suffered by each of this country's 60 voluntary organisations that assists children with learning disabilities. How can any Minister or Government stand over such cuts? I hope the Minister of State, Deputy Barry Andrews, will clearly outline in his reply that emergency funding is to be provided to allow these parents to get some relief.

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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I am responding on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children. I thank Deputies Naughten and Burke for raising this matter. I appreciate that the Acting Chairman, Deputy Michael Kitt, is also interested in it. I am pleased to have an opportunity to outline the position with regard to respite services for people with disabilities. I wish to reaffirm the Government's commitment to the national disability strategy. We will continue to pursue the long-term goals and objectives of the strategy in the coming years, in partnership with all the stakeholders. Our commitment in the areas of disability and mental health is consistent. Approximately €1.6 billion is spent by the health services on disability programmes, including residential, day care, respite, assessment and rehabilitation services, each year. Despite the current economic climate, the HSE's national service plan for 2010 makes provision for additional funding of €19.5 million to meet the anticipated growth in demand for disability services in 2010. The Government appreciates the valuable contribution the voluntary sector makes to the provision of services, including respite care, to people with intellectual disabilities. Respite services are being reviewed by the HSE on an ongoing basis, and the majority of Local Health Offices have reported that services are being maintained. Over 4,500 people with intellectual disability avail of respite services nationwide and only a small number of service providers have taken the decision to cut these services. In all areas, HSE disability managers are working closely with agencies to maintain respite service provision at 2009 levels as far as possible, thereby ensuring that those with the most urgent need for respite services are prioritised.

Ulick Burke (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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People are losing services.

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE has informed the Department of Health and Children that it will continue to work in partnership with all service provider agencies in an effort to maintain core service delivery and respond to emergencies, as outlined in the service plan. The HSE acknowledges the challenges service providers are experiencing and the particular challenges facing all health services in 2010. In this context, it is vital that all service providers including the voluntary sector, work creatively and co-operatively to ensure that the maximum level of services are maintained for service users within the funding resources available.

Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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They would want to be magicians.

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The HSE will work with the voluntary service providers to deal with issues that arise from funding allocations, to ensure the needs of service users are prioritised and addressed.

Disability service providers were asked to submit their plans for the maintenance of service levels within available resources taking the following into consideration: items of expenditure which do not immediately and directly impact on frontline services; opportunities for rationalisation; the manner in which services are delivered; opportunities to reduce costs by sharing services and-or activities with other agencies; and the cost of back office administration, all other unnecessary costs, and rationalisation of general management structures. The HSE will continue to work with the voluntary service providers to streamline costs and identify areas where efficiencies can be achieved without impacting on frontline services.

There has been a continued expansion in the availability of respite support services. These services have grown significantly in recent years with 307 new places and 61 enhanced places provided since 2005. More than 4,500 people avail of respite services funded by the HSE. This service has supported people to continue living with their families and in their communities.

The Government is very much aware of the importance of respite service provision for the families of both children and adults with disabilities, and will seek to ensure that frontline services are protected as far as possible.