Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to address a matter requiring urgent consideration, namely, the need for the Minister for Health and Children to reverse the proposed HSE cutbacks targeting the weakest and most vulnerable in society, particularly in the Ballyfermot area from June with its plans to reduce the number of respite beds available in Cherry Orchard Hospital from 24 to 12 and the serious consequences this will have on the quality of life for more than 50 elderly and disabled patients in the area who avail of the service for three-day or four-day respite periods and the effect on their families and carers; and the fact that this cutback comes on top of other short-sighted cuts in services announced recently by the HSE which will affect other vulnerable groups in the Ballyfermot area, including children in need of speech and language therapy and recovering addicts in need of methadone treatment or other supports.

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