Declan Breathnach (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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135. To ask the Minister for Health if any additional funding will be allocated to Louth HSE and ring-fenced to help resolve the urgent issue of lack of adult respite places in County Louth; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the need was agreed by the HSE; if he will review the costing (details supplied) of providing a house to meet the needs of 30 to 40 families and the value for money that this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3564/17]

Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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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 €1.654bn in 2017, an increase of €92 million on the Budget 2016 allocation.

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