Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

I reject the Minister of State's contention that I am trying to frighten service users and their families. When I met family members today after they received the letter from Wisdom Services, they expressed concern for what the future holds. When I look around the country and see how the HSE has been withdrawing services and cutting home care packages, I realise they are right to be worried. I do not believe the HSE will be able to sustain the level of service these families have enjoyed. It needs to make it clear to the families what type of service they can expect because they may face the prospect of moving their loved ones to alternative residential premises. Will the HSE take over Cregg House in order to maintain the service there?

The family of a son who entered hospital recently had to care for him because of staffing issues. The hospital could not provide the care and attention this family's loved one required. Wisdom Services provided that level of service and it was disingenuous of the Minister for Education and Skills and the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to imply that Wisdom Services is voluntarily withdrawing. If the funding had not been cut by €1.3 million this year, it would not be in this situation and the service would not be under threat. I hope the HSE will at least make contact with the families to reassure them the service they expect will continue. I ask the Minister of State to confirm whether the HSE will continue to provide the services in Cregg House.

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