Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues for their contributions. It is important that people be made aware that funding of approximately €110 million was provided for St. John of God community services in 2016. This included €67 million for services in the Dublin area, which include the services provided in Blackrock. St. John of God community services receive the second largest amount of funding of all disability service providers in the State. As I indicated, I met a group of parents with children in St. Augustine's special school and I will relay their views. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett referred to letters being given to children to take home in their schoolbags. That was an appalling decision by the service provider. The key issue is vocational support and speech and language services. While I have started communicating on this issue, I will communicate directly on the impact on the families in question. We must ensure all children with disabilities receive the services they need. The organisation in question has a responsibility to act on this matter. However, the Health Service Executive and the Minister cannot be blamed because the board of directors made the relevant decision and handled the matter very badly.

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