Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have no problem giving the answers that the Senator seeks if I am allowed to do so. She asked a number of questions about the future. I confirmed that the site had been secured and provided by the HSE, which allows it to progress to the next stage. She also asked about respite and I replied that a review of the services had been carried out. Many counties are well behind Carlow-Kilkenny in that area and their reviews have not taken place. The review has taken place in Carlow-Kilkenny, the outcome has been agreed, a tender process has been carried out, and a successful conclusion to that process has resulted in Enable Ireland getting the contract. There is a building to be procured, the sale of which is going through at the moment. Once it has been procured, there will be additional capacity for Enable Ireland and the HSE to provide additional respite services.

I have given a number of answers now, and I reiterate that the money has been given to the services, there has been a review of the respite services, a site has been chosen and agreed for the brand new school, and a new building is in the process of being purchased for the additional respite provision.