Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Troy raised the fair deal scheme with regard to St. Christopher's Services, and I will combine the two questions he asked. Waiting lists are increasing and €23 million was taken from the fair deal fund and placed in enhanced home care packages last year. This worked extremely well, as far more people now receive enhanced home care packages and home help. I have made inquiries relating to St. Christopher's Services and I have not met people based on their political parties - that is irrelevant, as anyone who is interested can come to a meeting. St. Christopher's Services tendered to provide the service it does and won out in the process because it provides a good service. The additional supports that are now being delivered were not part of the tender process and were not agreed with HSE so this presents a difficulty. I recognise that St. Christopher's Services is delivering the service that was agreed when it won out in the tendering process, and the HSE is funding this, but there is a difficulty that cannot be ignored. Mr. Pat Healy and his team will meet representatives of St. Christopher's Services in the coming days to see what can be worked out. St. Christopher's Services is not the only service providing additional supports that were not originally part of a tender, and this issue has been worked out in other cases. There will be intense engagement on overcoming these difficulties. Everyone recognises the good work that the care centre does, but it was only asked to tender for certain services and it did so. The HSE pays for these services and has lived up to its side of the bargain, as has St. Christopher's Services.