MUCH has been written about Devon County Council's decision to close all but two care homes and day centres for the elderly. Not so much has been written about the closure of day centres, such as the one in Crediton, for people with learning disabilities. DCC has also decided to close Halden View Respite Centre in Exeter saying the cost of repairs amounting to £93,000 cannot be found. I heard on TV news that DCC has given a grant of £100,000 to RSPB to protect the habitat of buntings. Since when have birds been more important than people - and vulnerable people at that? Respite is vitally important for families of disabled and learning disabled young people. My 23-year-old daughter (with a mental age of an 18 months old baby) attended Halden View for respite. This was not to allow me to go out – but just to live a "normal" life for a day or weekend. I had to allow my daughter to come into the bathroom and sit on my knee when I was sat on the toilet. If I had not, then she would have trashed the rest of the house. I had to have her where I could see her. So, for one night (or weekend), I was able to go to the toilet in peace – something which most readers would take for granted. Not only was respite important to me and my husband, it was important for my daughter – so she could meet up with friends and the caring staff at Halden View who were like an extended family. My husband died recently and I cannot cope with my daughter alone. She is now in residential care, at a cost to DCC of £1,900 per week. It doesn't take a mathematician to work out that providing families with respite to enable them to keep their young person at home longer is cheaper in the long run for DCC. No mention has been made of how many children aged 16 – 18 will soon be leaving Children's Services. Where will they go for respite? DCC has said that Tree Tops in Exeter and Pines Hill in Honiton will provide respite. Tree Tops would not have my daughter when she moved from Children's Services as she was too mobile – they have mainly people in wheelchairs – and there are only four beds – two of which appear to be taken up on a permanent basis. As for Pines Hill – who wants to travel to Honiton? Will DCC pay transport costs? I live in Crediton and had my daughter had to go to Honiton for respite, it would have been a 100-miles round trip each time to take her and a similar mileage to collect her. Again I ask WHY ARE BIRDS MORE IMPORTANT THAN PEOPLE? I think Devon County Council's decision is morally wrong and disgusting. Bronwyn Nott By email