Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important issue for the people of the north east, an issue of which the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, is well aware. It will be greatly appreciated by those who depend on the services and supports provided by the Drogheda-based Dignity 4 Patients that my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, is available this evening to convey the view of the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive in regard to that organisation's current funding crisis.

The Garda is dealing with 120 cases of alleged sexual abuse perpetrated against patients of the struck-off medic, Michael Shine. Almost 250 cases of alleged abuse have been brought to the attention of the Dignity 4 Patients group in recent years. The House will be aware that Mr. Justice Smyth carried out a review into the handling of many of these cases and reported last year.

The organisation received funding from the State's health authorities to support those who came forward during and after the Smyth review. Since December 31, however, the funding has been stopped, at a time when the Dignity 4 Patients group and those depending on it most need it to be resourced. Dignity 4 Patients must be allowed the space and resources to do its job. I implore the Minister and the HSE to establish financial certainty for this organisation so it can be ensured those who are alleged to have suffered abuse in the public health system receive the support of the State, support to which they are entitled.

The delay in bringing cases against Michael Shine to the DPP and the frustration felt by alleged victims at the handling by the previous Government of the fallout and aftermath of the Mr. Justice Smyth review have contributed to a growing and legitimate sense of grievance and injustice. By committing to restoring State funding in line with the application the organisation has already made to the Department of Health and Children and the HSE, and committing to making available the resources required to bring closure to the torment undergone by victims, the Minister and Government would be sending out a strong message indeed.

In the absence of funding, Dignity 4 Patients has been forced to terminate staff contracts, drastically cut services and place the burden of responsibility on to the shoulders of one sole founder, who has in essence become a counsellor, a helpline operator, a campaigner and advocate, an administrator and an accountant. Given the pressure and emotional focus required to deal with cases relating to abuse of this nature, this situation is no longer sustainable. Victims are still coming forward and complaints and concerns continue to be expressed. As the Garda investigations continue, existing clients of the organisation require ongoing and consistent support and advocacy.

This organisation, those who lead it and those who work for it have acted courageously and often defiantly in shining a light into the darker recesses of a system that has failed to acknowledge the extent of the damage done to lives and, indeed, to communities by the alleged activities of the disgraced medical practitioner. I implore the Minister of State to restore a sense of hope for this organisation and for those who depend on it. I am asking the Department of Health and Children and the HSE to fund the Dignity 4 Patients group to provide the organisation and those relying on it for support with a degree of certainty for the future.

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