John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I concur with the comments made by my colleagues. This time last year, I had an uncle who was in the hospice. He died at the end of December. From a family's point of view, I cannot speak highly enough of the care he received and the manner in which he was looked after. His immediate family feels likewise. That is why, in some regards, I feel compelled to speak on the subject.

Like Deputy O'Callaghan, I recently visited the new development. Rather than speak about the service, which my two colleagues have addressed adequately, I will address the funding issue. It is important to note that State funding to the hospice generally is down 25% on what it was in 2009. The application for funding for phase 1 was refused, specifically because the committee said it could not approve projects retrospectively and that each agency has to follow the same procedures and submit applications in advance of projects being progressed. Obviously, the hospice takes a different view and had been in touch with the HSE since 2014. It received sign-off from the national director of primary care in February 2015, so there was a level of engagement. In favour of what the hospice did, I note that it recognised the urgency and the reality that the facility was badly needed both to improve standards and, more importantly, to cater for a growing and aging population.

It did not get funding for phase 1 but has clearly indicated that phase 2 and equipment could be considered. As an organisation, the hospice is not in a position to continue to fund the capital. It is engaged in fundraising to subsidise the revenue side, in other words the staff costs. I appeal to the Minister to look specifically at this case. It is one of the few opportunities we have where the development has taken place and the asset is there. We are not saying we need this in five years' time. It is here now but it needs the funding. These people are not in a position to continue to provide that level of funding without State support.

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