Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this matter, specifically the reduction of €1.08 million in the budget of the Brothers of Charity in Bawnmore in Limerick. This 4% cut has resulted in the decision by the Brothers of Charity at the Bawnmore centre to close in ten days' time the only respite facility it has for intellectually disabled adults in Limerick city. The closure will affect 63 families, many of whom are elderly or widowed carers of sons or daughters. They have reached crisis point as they face the loss of the only respite care facility available for loved ones. The closure, which has been caused by a shortage of funding to the Brothers of Charity in Limerick, is unacceptable and an absolute disgrace.

I anticipated that the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, or the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Moloney, would come to the House to address this issue. The Brothers of Charity in Bawnmore do fantastic work but face a shortage of funding. A cut of €1.08 million or 4% in a budget is severe. It has forced the Brothers of Charity to reorganise services in Bawnmore with the result that one respite house will be closed affecting 63 individuals and their families, another three residential units in the city have been closed and a further residential unit in Bawnmore must be reorganised. They have also had to curtail canteen facilities for more than 200 people who use them daily.

If the Minister of State provides a general response, it will be unacceptable. Deputies are being forced to submit general questions on the Adjournment when the Government is well aware that we seek responses on specific issues. I want to know whether funding of the order of €150,000 to €200,000 will be restored to ensure respite services are not discontinued on 14 June. Will the Minister of State also confirm that the funding of €1.08 million will be restored?

The Government attacks the most vulnerable, a category which includes the disabled. The parents and siblings of disabled people are so tired from caring for their disabled sons and daughters and brothers and sisters that they do not have the energy to respond to Government cuts such as these. Service providers such as the Brothers of Charity in Bawnmore are doing fantastic work but are being curtailed by a lack of funding. The moratorium on recruitment is not being applied in a consistent manner, specifically in respect of the Brothers of Charity in Limerick.

I ask the Minister of State to confirm that funding will be restored to enable the respite facility in Limerick used by 63 families and their loved ones to remain open. While the sum involved, €150,000, falls far short of a Taoiseach's salary, it impacts on 63 families. I also want the Minister of State to state the €1.08 million in funding cuts will be restored. Society is judged on how it deals with the most vulnerable, including the disabled. I do not want a general response but specific assurances that this matter will be addressed.

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