Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter. I can understand there is concern out there because of the work that has been provided by the Daughters of Wisdom over many years. They have been in discussion with the Department of Health since April, as I said to Deputy McConalogue. There is, as we speak, a transition team from the HSE that has been in negotiations recently with the Daughters of Wisdom to provide for continuity in the delivery of these essential services. I accept, of course, there are difficulties in the funding of services, whether it is in the health area, education or anywhere else because of the extraordinary economic mess this Administration inherited just over 15 months ago.

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