Seán Kyne (Galway West, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State for her response and like my colleagues, I welcome the initiatives under the New Direction policy review. The Minister of State indicated the working group will be established this month, which is welcome in respect of implementation of the plan. However, as I stated, the Brothers of Charity have informed the Members present that their reserves are gone. While they had been prudent for a number of years and had been able to put aside money, these reserves now are gone. The families are in a position similar to that which has obtained in recent years, in which a solution always has been found at the 11th hour. At present, they are wondering whether a solution will be found this year and as matters stand, they are contacting us in a state of panic and uncertainty. Deputies Nolan, Walsh and I have been told of the structure these young adults have had in their lives for many years, which is the bus comes for them and that is what they know. They wait for the bus but the day will come when the bus will not and their parents are worried about what will happen then. I again ask the Minister of State to do everything she can to ensure that funding is provided within the Brothers of Charity for these services.

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