Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I thank Deputy Pringle for raising this matter. I am pleased to take this opportunity to outline the current position of Wisdom Services. As the Deputy is aware, Wisdom Services is a voluntary body operated by the Daughters of Wisdom which provides services for people with disabilities in the north-west region. It supports more than 200 service users, with 111 on campus, 75 in the community and 20 day attendees. I was disappointed to learn that the Daughters of Wisdom, who operate Wisdom Services, have advised the HSE that they intend to withdraw from the provision of services on behalf of the HSE. The HSE has been working with Wisdom Services for some time to address its financial concerns and identify opportunities for efficiencies and savings through potential new combinations of service delivery in the north west. Wisdom Services has a cost containment plan for 2012, which has had some success, but despite detailed engagement by the HSE with its management, I regret that Wisdom Services has now decided to withdraw from service provision. I would like to reassure the families of the children and adults with disabilities that their current level of service will continue to be provided. I am requesting the HSE to work with Wisdom Services to ensure continuity of service for all clients while a transition process is being put in place. I understand that Wisdom Services has written to families of service users and to staff to reassure them of its co-operation in this process. I thank Wisdom Services for its dedication and commitment to providing services to children and adults in the north west since 1955.

The HSE will now commence a detailed assessment of all aspects of Wisdom Service operations in order to arrive at a mutually agreed resolution on the continuation of services to its clients and, in particular, to ensure that service users will continue to receive the care and support they require. I understand that early discussions are planned with the management of the service. Wisdom Services was allocated €15.5 million by the HSE in 2012 and has been funded consistently over the years. In addition, it was the beneficiary of 38% of all intellectual disability development moneys in this HSE area in the period 2006 to 2011, as well as additional capital funding. This compares favourably with the percentage of clients with intellectual disabilities from the area covered by its services. Accordingly, I do not accept that this service has been under-funded, allowing for the necessary reductions that have been applied evenly to all service providers in the last two to three years.

I thank Wisdom Services for its work in providing services to children and adults over the years, and I urge all involved to work closely to ensure that the needs of service users and their families are given priority. Even when I was in opposition I thought it reprehensible to frighten the families of people who relied on particular services. This service will continue to be provided to the people who rely on it. The service provider has done a good job over the years and we owe a debt of gratitude to the voluntary, private and religious service providers which stepped in when the State was reluctant to get involved. The State is now more involved and while the services that are provided in the future will differ in some respects, in this instance the service on which people have come to depend will continue.

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