Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for facilitating me in raising the plight of intellectually and disabled people who have finished their education in the special education school in St. Gabriel's, Bishopstown, County Cork. They have received letters from their service provider, the Brothers of Charity, indicating that there is to be no subsequent placement for them. They had expected an adult or a day-training placement. Unfortunately, no such placement has been offered.

As the Minister of State will appreciate, this is causing great consternation to the young people concerned and their parents. Such treatment might well be considered the thin end of the wedge but many more people can expect a similar outcome because of the lack of planning and foresight of the Government in preparing for the downturn in the economy and the recession we are experiencing.

If such is the case this week, I shudder to think what will happen to the most vulnerable, needy and voiceless in our society the week after the House closes, when the Cabinet will take its decision to slash and burn services. If this is a hallmark, or a foretaste, of what we can expect, then God help the most needy in society. An old political slogan from the era of Charles J. Haughey stated that health cuts hurt the old, the sick and the handicapped. Undoubtedly, that adage still applies.

I have no doubt that the Minister of State's heart is in the right place. I urge him to step out from behind his prepared script tonight and reassert the primacy of this House. This is a House, not a Government, a House that voted to ring-fence €50 million of moneys for the care of people with a disability. Who is running the country? Is it the Oireachtas, by way of its Votes and specific funds for specific purposes, or is it the Health Service Executive and its bookkeepers, who are so involved in cash management?

If it is simply a case of cash management within the HSE, then it should be remembered that the service providers — of which there are many, and voluntary organisations also — provide excellent care, sheltered employment, rehabilitation and assisted living home support, the whole range of services for people with a disability. It should not be the case that these service providers and voluntary organisations are driven to a situation where they are obliged to communicate with their clients and with the parents of these unfortunate people with a disability. They have been forced to tell parents that, as matters stand, there is no placement for their children in these organisations next September. That is entirely unacceptable. It causes trauma not only to the young people by putting an obstacle in front of them that prevents them achieving their potential, but also their parents.

At the weekend I was contacted by parents of one such person. Both parents work and it is not an option for them to leave their child unattended throughout the day at home. These are real situations involving real people. Who is in charge? If the Government and the Oireachtas votes €50 million for people with a disability, it behoves the HSE to communicate with the voluntary organisations and service providers and ensure that those funds are delivered. It is not acceptable management that these people should be treated like pawns in a political game between the Government and the HSE.

This issue was raised earlier today by my colleague, Deputy Olivia Mitchell, who spoke about one of her constituents. Each of the 166 Deputies has come across similar experiences. Who is in charge? Is it the Government, the Oireachtas or the HSE? If we vote €50 million specifically for disability purposes, these people should not be denied a placement next September.

The Minister should step out from behind his brief and prepared script and reassert the primacy of democracy in this House. He must provide for the most vulnerable people because if this is the way the Government intends to act next week, or next month, when the Oireachtas is in recess, God help the most vulnerable and voiceless ones in society. They will be the victims of Government cutbacks and of recession and that is not as it should be.

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