Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)

That is correct. The people of Kenmare are still waiting. There is an urgent need to provide funding for a sexual assault treatment unit, SATU, at Kerry General Hospital. I pay tribute to the leaders and staff of the Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre in Kerry for their tenacious campaign on this issue. These people are now at the end of their tether. The sexual assault treatment unit was run previously on a pilot basis at Kerry General Hospital. It was a major success in tending to the needs of the victims of rape and sexual assault. However, due to a lack of space and funding commitments, the pilot scheme was discontinued and since then there have been calls for a sexual assault unit to be reinstated in Kerry General Hospital. Currently, there is no local service to support victims of sexual assault in Kerry.

The Minister of State, Deputy Wallace, may be aware that if a man or woman is raped or sexually abused in Kerry at present, he or she has to be transported to Cork, and sometimes Waterford, for forensic examination. One can only imagine the trauma and psychological pain caused by having to ask a victim to endure a three to five hour round trip in a car or taxi in the immediate aftermath of an assault. In some cases, victims may not be medically fit to be sent to Cork or Waterford and this further adds to their trauma. It is estimated that approximately €250,000 would be required to get the SATU in Kerry up and running. The sum of €250,000 out of the €12 billion allocated to the health service in 2007 is not too much to ask. The National Crime Council stated that such local centres are needed to increase the low reportage of sexual crimes. This is most worrying. We must support victims of sexual assault and encourage them to report crimes, otherwise the perpetrators will get off scot free to reoffend. The Book of Estimates does not provide funding for a SATU for Kerry despite all of the promises and the long campaign for the service by many dedicated people. I appeal to the Minister for Health and Children and the Minister for Finance to bring in a Supplementary Estimate to address this matter. This is a human rights issue.

Approximately 1,200 people in my constituency are waiting for houses. My philosophy is that the least to which our citizens are entitled is a comfortable home. Approximately 400 people in my constituency are waiting for enhanced nursing home subventions. Although Cúram home care grants were promised, people did not receive anything. Almost 1,000 people are waiting for orthodontic treatment. Children in my constituency with an intellectual disability have had their classes discontinued indefinitely.

I have listened all day to Ministers and Government backbenchers hailing the great successes of the Government. These are our most needy people and they have been let down by the Government. After the next election we will have a change of Government and these people will be top of our priorities.

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