Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will give priority to the Ballina area and the blockage in the service there. As the Senator indicated, a safeguarding issue in an emergency case had a negative impact on respite services. I acknowledge the point the Senator made on the family clinic. I have been speaking to those in the services for the past 11 months in an effort to create a closer relationship with families and parents. It is unacceptable if there is a disconnect or a lack of information.

I will follow up on the individual cases the Senator raises. I am amazed to learn that someone has not been provided with respite care for four years. The Government restored the carer's grant of €1,700 per family per annum, which is not means tested. In recent months, a number of families informed me that they used this money to pay for respite services. Approximately 101,000 families are in receipt of this payment. However, a couple of thousand of other families who are eligible for the grant are not collecting it.

I fully accept the Senator's sincerity on this matter and that her comments are correct. Yesterday, I had a one-to-one meeting with the Taoiseach to discuss disability policy for the next 12 months. In fairness to him, the Taoiseach also raised the issue of respite services and he is very conscious of the need to do something about this issue. We must also fix local problems, address the lack of communications and ensure a more inclusive approach is taken to families. I will convey the Senator's concerns to the Minister and HSE.