Last night I attended a public meeting on the cutting of respite services for parents and family members looking after a family member with an intellectual disability. There was between 200 and 250 people at the meeting. In my many years of attending such meetings it was the most upsetting meeting I’ve ever attended.
These families are now faced with either the cancellation of their services or the severe reduction of them. This means that they day per month that families enjoyed could now go. Families with siblings in residential care are now faced with cut backs too. They’re terrified and furious.
At the meeting I committed to following up with the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health. I will absolutely do all I can to help.