John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1291. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide respite care beds for families of persons with intellectual disabilities in Tralee and its environs in view of the fact that no respite beds have been available since January 2016; his plans to replace the beds lost at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1572/17]

John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1292. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will provide respite care beds for families of persons with intellectual disabilities in Listowel and its environs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1573/17]

John Brassil (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
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1293. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE will work with the relevant stakeholders to make the facility at Ballyseedy, Tralee suitable and available for respite care services for families of persons with autism and other intellectual disabilities, in view of the fact there is no current service available to families to provide respite in Tralee and its environs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1574/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1291 to 1293, inclusive, 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.

Budget 2017 includes an increased allocation to the Disability Services Programme to address a number of key priorities in the Programme for Partnership Government. The allocation for disability services will rise to over €1.654 bn in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.

As the Deputy's questions relate to service matters, I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.