Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1113. To ask the Minister for Health the provision in County Louth for adults and children with intellectual disabilities who need emergency respite care; the number and location of emergency respite beds, long-term emergency respite beds and short-term emergency respite beds; the procedure for persons who need this service in the absence of dedicated emergency respite beds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24836/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1114. To ask the Minister for Health the number of respite beds for adults and children with intellectual disabilities that are currently funded at St. John of God North East Services, Saint Mary's, Drumcar; if the designation of these beds is to provide short-term respite; and if all available beds are being utilised to provide short-term respite for adults and children with learning disabilities. [24837/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1115. To ask the Minister for Health the cost each year for the past five years of respite provision at St. John of God North East Services, Saint Mary's, Drumcar. [24838/16]

Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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1116. To ask the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to two persons who are receiving long-term emergency respite at St. John of God North East Services, Saint Mary's, Drumcar; if this facility is designed to cater for long-term emergency respite; if the provision of this emergency respite causes a reduction in respite provision to other service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24839/16]

Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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1339. To ask the Minister for Health his views on the situation in St. John of God, Drumcar, County Louth, regarding the urgent need to provide alternative and age-appropriate respite care for persons with disabilities in County Louth who cannot be provided with this service at present in Drumcar. [25768/16]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1113 to 1116, inclusive, and 1339 together.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.