Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief because nearly everything has been covered. Senator Gavan has done much work on this matter on behalf of our party. It is hard to find the words to describe the history of these people. They have been badly failed by the State, first in these institutions and then in this process. It is as though Caranua's attitude is that people do not deserve this money, not least as there is a cap which it sets. Money is not unlimited but surely the amount should be decided on a case-by-case basis.

People have varying and different needs and the fact that there is a single cap shows that there has been a very begrudging attitude from the start.

I want to make a few brief points on appeals. I have had conversations with people in Caranua who said there was no appeals process. As such, there are huge questions to be asked about the fact that Caranua is now writing out to people to say there is one. I have dealt with a great many people who have been told there was no appeals process and had follow-up conversations with people in Caranua in which it was confirmed that there is no appeals system. I would like to know a bit more about that. As to its closure, although I do not think Caranua is fit for purpose and it is not doing a good job, what will happen to those who have slipped through the cracks and not applied for funding? People may have been abroad or otherwise unaware of Caranua. What will happen to them and who will decide issues of hardship or exceptional circumstances? People do not seem now to be able to get the very basic things they are looking for. What makes anyone believe Caranua will grant anything or deem there to be hardship or exceptional circumstances?

I refer to supports going forward. I welcome the consultation which is a great idea. However, one of the supports mentioned was the HSE's national counselling service which is completely overstretched as it is. People who are literally suicidal cannot access that service. One is looking here at a very vulnerable group of people and there is no way they will be able to get access to the HSE service. If Caranua is winding down, I suggest as part of the consultation that a specific counselling service is made available free of charge through some system. Directing people to a national HSE counselling service which is completely overstretched and which will not be able to meet demand is not recommended. I see there is a division in the Dáil.