Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is most important that we as a society and a Government protect those who are most vulnerable. In recent years, much concern has been expressed by disadvantaged groups who feel they are taking a disproportionate cut in the services provided to them. I am confident this will not be the case in this situation. St. Catherine's Association was established several decades ago as a voluntary organisation to provide services for those with intellectual disabilities. On a voluntary basis many people campaigned, fund-raised and worked for many hours to establish a service when the State provided very little, if anything, in the area. It has developed and grown and provides an excellent service to many families along the east coast of Wicklow. It is going through change at present but it is very important. I am aware the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch, has had dealings with the HSE in this area in recent months and it is important that she gets out the message that the service provided will not suffer and that in whatever manner it is revamped the facilities and services of St. Catherine's Association will remain available to the residents and families. It is important to acknowledge the excellent work done by the many volunteers throughout the years and I hope once we go through this process that people will be reassured. I welcome the decision of the board of directors to meet the families in the coming days to reassure them that services will stay in place. The Minister of State can go a long way to reassuring people and the public that this is not a case of cutting back a service but of revamping one.

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