Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response but it does not resolve the issues faced by the family I mentioned. Their daughter is progressing very quickly and suffers seizures. I also highlighted the fact that the family lost the medical cards for two other children. Families in these situations feel vulnerable and need support, particularly when they await placement. An exception should be made for the seven families I mentioned in my Commencement matter. I am sure that there are many more families located around the country who are in similar position. The family I mentioned are finding life tough because they must provide care 24-7. They are delighted to provide care but they are approaching the stage where they will no longer be able to carry on and will have to bring in support. The parents must pay for such support because they do not quality for any services due to both of them working. However, they work because they must pay their mortgage and send their other children to school, etc.They are going to have to pay for that support because they do not qualify for anything. Both parents are working but the reason they are doing so is that they have a mortgage to pay and have to send the other children to school, etc. Cases such as this need to be considered on their own merit. Families' circumstances need to be examined while they are waiting for long-term residential care. It does not look like there will be any provision in the short term to resolve this issue. There have been meetings with the HSE but nowhere suited to meeting the needs of the child in question has been highlighted or selected.