Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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634. To ask the Minister for Health the progress made to date since his meeting with a group at a hospital (details supplied) in County Donegal on 12 December 2016; his plans to meet that group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18275/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I fully support the goals of Our Children's Voice in offering support to the families of children with disabilities in County Donegal and I understand the challenges parents face in accessing appropriate services in some parts of the country. I would be happy to meet again with Our Children's Voice and to involve Finian McGrath, Minister for People with Disabilities and the HSE. I will ask my Department to facilitate setting up this meeting.

The focus of a meeting with Our Children's Voice, held in Letterkenny University Hospital last December, was on hospice care for children in Donegal, respite care and the need for a paediatric nurse in the community to support families.

Possible partnership with the Northern Ireland Children's Hospice was mentioned. My officials are currently engaging in discussions with our counterparts in Northern Ireland in respect of a joint proposal from Laura Lynn/NI Children's Hospice to provide a cross-border palliative respite service at the Horizon West Children's Hospice in Fermanagh.