Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to also contribute to this debate and thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this important issue.

It is an understatement to say that I am shocked and horrified by the cuts announced by Tusla in the most recent past. Groups which provide support to the most vulnerable members of the community, who at a particular time in their lives need State intervention and support, are receiving savage cuts.

I am not surprised that Tusla had to bring about these cuts because its CEO, Mr. Gordon Jeyes, is on record as saying that he needed an additional €18 million to ensure the day-to-day running of Tusla and to stand still. Unfortunately, the Minister was not able to secure an adequate budget to ensure that Tusla could maintain the services that it provides.

My constituency colleague has highlighted the invaluable work that is being carried out here by Ms Foley in the Westmeath Support Services Against Domestic Abuse. Last year alone, this lady and this group supported 190 women. She has received endorsement of the Garda, the legal profession, social services, the local authority and even the local judge. Judge Hughes, last year, from the court poor box, gave Ms Foley an additional sum of money because he acknowledges the invaluable work that she has done for 16 years. Then, simply out of the blue, she received a letter pulling the rug from under her feet and from under the feet of the hundreds who used the service for the past 16 years.

Yesterday, Ms Foley came and visited me in my clinic with a person who, thankfully, today is still with us because of the intervention of Ms Foley and because of the support of this service.

The Minister should not worry about the clock being talked down.

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