Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I look forward to the HSE clarifying the position.

It is noted a majority of service providers are continuing to provide respite care services, despite the reductions in their allocations. The arrangements for the public sector moratorium apply across the publicly funded health services and there can be no question of exempting voluntary service providers or providing them with additional funding. This would undermine the strategic objectives of the Government's policy to reduce staffing levels and achieve payroll savings to bring the public voluntary finances into sustainable balance. Voluntary providers, in common with the HSE, need to identify and implement under the public service agreement whatever changes in staffing levels, skills mix and work practices are necessary to protect services within the reduced level of funding available.

The Minister and the Minister of State met Brothers of Charity Services Ireland on 7 July, together with senior officials from the HSE and the Department of Health and Children, to discuss the importance of maintaining front-line services for people with disabilities. The outcome of the meeting was a clear undertaking on all sides to work in partnership in order that services such as respite care could be maintained. I know Brothers of Charity Services Ireland is anxious to work in partnership in resolving these issues. It is as keen as the Government to ensure services are protected.