Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the delegations for coming in today. I have a number of questions but before I pose them I wish to pay particular tribute to Ms Corbett and her team for their sterling work in advocating a "Yes" vote in the forthcoming referendum.

I ask Dr. McDaid, based on the exceptionally touching and moving interview with Ms Una Butler last Friday, to comment on her proposition that families should be involved and included in any mental health therapy or response when family members present to the medical profession seeking help.

We consistently hear the country is bankrupt. Indeed, the Minister, Deputy Ruairí Quinn, says it every second week. However, none of us, in this committee or in the Houses, is socially bankrupt. Every single one of us has a heart and, with regard to the agencies represented at this meeting, I assure them that we will try to represent their views as best we can.

Do the representatives have any idea how they will resolve the issue of the €16 million deficit, given that they expect they will face further cuts in December's budget? Have any of the bodies represented been offered changes to their service level agreements with the HSE? If so, are there any difficulties arising from those new agreements? In the particular example of St. Michael's House, it has been argued that funding has gone in one direction while services have gone in another. In that context, what suffered? Has there, for example, been a massive reduction in staff-to-client ratios? In an earlier session I asked representatives of the Disability Federation of Ireland a question which they told me the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies would be best placed to answer. I have anecdotal evidence that the services on offer by the HSE to special schools for children and young adults with intellectual and physical disabilities are being withdrawn. I ask the delegates to comment and tell me if it is true.