Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)

I acknowledge the Minister of State's comment that she is on top of the brief and is acutely aware of the position. Having discussed the matter personally with the Minister of State, I was aware of that. However, these services are due to end within a month and while, as the Minister of State noted, consultation is ongoing on a continuous basis between the service providers and the consultation body no resolution has yet emerged. No answers or concrete measures are forthcoming and the impression being given to the Members who raised this issue by the service providers is they are not in a position financially to do it. This back and forth between these two bodies is leaving the individuals in a really difficult position. I refer to the cases about which one hears and the people who I met last Monday at the Brothers of Charity annual general meeting, who are in a really difficult position, some of whom have such severe, shocking and saddening disabilities that one cannot stop one's heart from going out to them.

I ask whether an intervention can take place to force them to agree finally on something, because this cannot continue. It is unprofessional and is a poor reflection on both the service providers and the HSE if they allow this position to continue. I completely support the ideas put forward in the New Direction policy review, which is the way to go. However, if the Minister of State has an opportunity in the future to visit the Brothers of Charity services in Galway, I would be greatly appreciative, were she to take the time to so do and to review their position personally.

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