Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

It is with deep regret that I must raise this issue before the House. I raised the same issue on 1 July last year. The issue concerns disabled people, the most vulnerable in society. There is a lack of funding generally from the Government for the disabled. In my constituency of Limerick East, the Daughters of Charity in St. Vincent's do fantastic work for the intellectually disabled children in schools and provide residential units and training. The issue I am raising concerns six young adult school leavers with no place to go as funding is not forthcoming for them. This would be a bottom line issue for any Government.

These six young adults are a concern. Parents have come to me with their concerns. Last year two parents came to me and after raising the issue many times, funding was eventually provided. I do not want to have to go through a repeat of that this year. I want the Government to give a commitment that funding will be provided for these intellectually disabled young adults whose families, parents and friends want to ensure they reach their full potential. The only way they can do that is if they are given the opportunity to do so within a training setting after they finish school. In that way they could have a decent life with fair expectations.

I should not have to raise this issue on the floor of the Dáil. We all know from our dealings with parents of intellectually disabled children of the work involved in caring for those children and of the concerns these parents have for their children's future when they themselves will pass away. Who will look after their intellectually disabled children? These children who are now leaving school should be able to enter a training environment and have adult day places available to them, yet I must beg here for funding for them. They should not have to be put in this position. The funding should be provided.

I want the Minister of State to inform me that the funding for six adult day places for these six school leavers leaving St. Vincent's, Lisnagry, will be provided. I will continue to raise the issue until funding is provided. I seek a positive response.

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