Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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201. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the significant drop in the amount of respite beds available, particularly in the past two years (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9710/15]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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202. To ask the Minister for Health the action that is being taken to address the problem of no respite beds being available for persons under 65 years of age since the start of January 2015 in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9711/15]

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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203. To ask the Minister for Health the length of time it takes for respite care to be allocated, once a person has applied to the Health Service Executive for a respite bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9712/15]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 201 to 203, inclusive, together.

The vision for the Health Service Executive's Disability Services Programme is to contribute to the realisation of a society where people with disabilities are supported, as far as possible, to participate to their full potential in economic and social life, and have access to a range of quality personal social supports and services including respite care to enhance their quality of life.

In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues, they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he can contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with the HSE.