Matt Carthy TD raised the plight of Monaghan parents in the Dáil recently.

A panelist on RTÉ's Prime Time programme said the €23m spent by the government on the referenda could've been spent on providing a respite centre for County Monaghan.

The HSE confirmed to Northern Sound "The submission for capital funding to support the development and delivery of a children's respite centre in Co. Monaghan was approved."

Any family who has a child with special educational needs is invited to come along to the speaking event tonight.

'This story is getting priority of my attention,' - Minister for Disabilities, Anne Rabitte.

Monaghan currently has no overnight respite services for children with disabilities

Her son has been diagnosed autistic, with ADHD and sensory processing disorder.

To this day, neither Cllr Peter McVitty, Cavan County Council nor the many families desperately seeking respite care in Cavan, have received a response.