Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the urgent need to assist and develop services at Prosper Fingal. I am sharing time with Deputy Terence Flanagan whom I thank and commend for his support on this urgent matter.

I call on the Minister for Health and Children to examine the critical needs of the individuals and their carers helped at Prosper Fingal. This debate is about protecting the vulnerable, assisting those with a disability and getting our priorities right. We can go on about finance, resources and the economy but this debate is important if we are to protect the most vulnerable and their families. We must do the right thing and, if needs be, the strong and the wealthy must take the hit and provide resources for groups such as Prosper Fingal.

I have received many letters from parents on this urgent matter. One such letter sums it up. It reads:

Dear Finian,

As a parent of a young man of 23 who has Down's syndrome, I am extremely worried as to what the future holds for him. He has just completed a three year independent skills training programme with Prosper Fingal services but we are now hearing that no funding will be provided for a continued day service come 2009.

I cannot bear to think what this will mean for him having built up his self esteem and independence over the years. However, this independence is only a basic human right and does not extend itself to him being in a position to put himself on the open market for employment or making the decision to move to another country to seek employment. Therefore remaining in the service of Prosper Fingal is of the utmost importance to him.

How can we tell him come September that there is no place for him because of a lack of funding? He has built up a wonderful relationship with all members of staff and has developed a lovely network of friends. It would be heartbreaking for him and for us if this service were to be withdrawn.

I am appealing to you to plead on his behalf for adequate funding to make sure this does not happen.

The bottom line is that Prosper Fingal provides a service for 233 individuals and their carers. It is a not-for-profit organisation, a registered charity and funded by the HSE. In total, there are 35 people seeking long-term day services from Prosper Fingal in 2009. There are also eight individuals receiving residential crisis services. There has been a 3% cut in the overall budget and the group will work with the HSE in any way possible to manage demand. I urge the Minister and the HSE to fund and support Prosper Fingal.

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