Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the speakers who are here this morning. We are in no doubt about the challenges facing the disability sector as it seeks to come to terms with the Covid-19 era. Many of the witnesses have eloquently emphasised that those challenges existed before Covid-19. I am particularly concerned about the funding challenge and the timeline for a return to full day care services. We got the roadmap last week and there was some indication of a possible return of services in August. I am concerned by the overtures from the witnesses today to the effect that it could be as late as December or possibly the new year before we see any real meaningful service in that area.

We have several service providers in Longford, including the Phoenix Centre, the National Learning Network and St. Christopher's Services, with which I know Mr. Dolan is very familiar. He came there and spoke at the annual general meeting several years ago. I note 12 of the St. Christopher's Services day care staff members were redeployed to provide cover at residential settings during the Covid-19 pandemic. In order for St. Christopher's Services to expand its day care service to families who are genuinely and badly in need of it, it will have to bring those 12 staff members back from deployment in residential service. The catch, unfortunately, is that those in residential care cannot be left alone.

This comes down to the sums. The annual cost of replacing those 12 staff members will be just under €580,000. If a day care service resumes without additional funding it will be patchy at best and certainly significantly inferior to the service available at St. Christopher's Services before the onset of Covid-19. We have seen €70 million ring-fenced for the childcare sector. It was much needed and it is very welcome. Are the witnesses satisfied with the level of engagement to date on the part of the Department and the HSE on the funding necessary for a resumption of a meaningful day care service as quickly as possible?