Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

Under Standing Order 32 I wish to raise a matter of local and national importance, that is, the cutback of €2.5 million in HSE funding for the Galway city and county Brothers of Charity services and the further proposed cutbacks of €2 million which will make it impossible for the Brothers of Charity to continue its excellent and cost effective service to more than 1,000 recipients in Galway city and county. I refer to the extra burden this will place on families providing home care who will have respite services discontinued or greatly reduced. I call on the Minister to provide the necessary funds to enable the Brothers of Charity and other service providers continue their excellent services to the most vulnerable in our society. The Minister should note that the Brothers of Charity service has already achieved a 4% saving in expenditure this year and is now being penalised for its efficiency. I call on the Minister to ensure the funding restored to enable the Brothers of Charity to continue its services.

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