Seanad debates

Thursday, 22 March 2018

Commencement Matters

Autism Support Services

10:30 am

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will comment on Senator Buttimer's request for joined-up thinking. All of us who are in public life are very familiar with people who are caught up in a system where the system does not seem to respond quickly enough for them thereby causing distress for the individual and the family. I will bring the Senator's message to the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath.

Let me assure the House that everything is being done. The Government's ongoing priority is to safeguard vulnerable people in care. I am informed by the HSE that it has been engaged with the person concerned and the family and will continue to do so.

Let me emphasise that in 2018, funding of €1.772 billion has been provided for health and personal social care services for a complex and wide range of services and supports for people with disabilities. An additional €91.9 million was made available last year. This year, through the HSE, we will provide more than 8,300 residential care beds, as well as emergency support beds for 385 people. We will provide more than 1,800 respite nights and 42,500 day respite sessions to families in need of respite across the country.

I understand Senator Buttimer's concerns and his compassion about this issue. I certainly share some of those concerns, particularly when the family seems to be trapped in a situation where they see that they have difficulties in gaining proper access to services. Let me repeat that I will bring Senator Buttimer's concerns to the attention of Deputy Finian McGrath.

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