Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this issue and thank Deputy Finian McGrath for stating the facts about Prosper Fingal. It is a not-for-profit organisation which is funded by the HSE and provides an extensive range of services for 233 adults with intellectual disabilities in north County Dublin, as well as respite, day, residential, clinical, advisory and transport services which are delivered at eight locations in Fingal - Malahide, Rush, Skerries, Piercetown, Portmarnock, Balbriggan and Swords.

The Minister has reduced the budget for the organisation by 3%, which is scandalous. Indications show that no funding will be provided for service development this year. If the service development funding is withdrawn, 24 adults who depend on the services of Proper Fingal will be devastated. They will also lose their long-term service placements and will be sentenced to spending their lives at homes with their family supports. In addition, 11 other individuals who require a long-term place will be denied a place.

The 24 people affected are young adults who have benefited enormously from the help they have received to date from Proper Fingal. They have learned new skills and have gained independence. For these young adults to progress, they need and rely on their place in Prosper Fingal. They need to continue receiving the great benefits they have received to date. Prosper Fingal not only provides essential skills but a social element for these young people. It gives them a sense of purpose, a sense of responsibility and a quality of life.

Like Deputy Finian McGrath, I have received numerous items of correspondence concerning this matter in recent weeks. Many parents are angry and extremely concerned about these cutbacks. The Minister needs to seriously reconsider this matter, having regard to all the money that was squandered here during the last ten to 15 years. The money spent on the electronic voting machines is one such example. All we are seeking is for the Minister to continue to fund Prosper Fingal. It is not expensive to do so. The average cost in respect of each person is €20,000 per annum. If funding is cut, the long-term costs of providing full-time residential places will a much more costly.

I want the Minister of State to give us positive news that he will continue to properly fund Prosper Fingal and that he will look after these people and not give up on them. Such people are forgotten about in some instances. Not enough funding is being allocated to help people with intellectual disabilities. I hope that the Minister of State will look after these people and give us a positive response.

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