Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know that the Minister is aware of this issue as I tabled a parliamentary question on it. The Minister came back promptly with factual information on the numbers attending and so on. I appreciate that. However, my question was whether she had been made aware of the issue and what alternative steps she will take. The reason I asked that question is that we have received very urgent representations, primarily from the most important people, namely, the parents of the children who will be affected. That is more than 40 families. Unusually for them, people from the legal profession - solicitors and barristers - have got together to say that this is an essential service. They are publicly on the record as saying that this service must be kept. Therapists and various other professionals who use the service have also made representations to us in respect of this service.

This service was set up in 2007. It has been there for more than ten years. It has had two positive evaluations, one in 2008 and one in 2016. Both pointed to the essential nature of the service and to the positive effect on children. I do not have much time to speak on this but I will bring the Minister's attention to the conclusions of the 2016 report, where figures are given. It says that the service enhances the positive relationships between parents and children and so on.

They cannot do without this service. If it is closed, 40 or more families will be affected. Primarily, children will not see their fathers. It is run on a shoestring budget of approximately €80,000 per year and has four staff, one of whom is full-time.

We have spoken to the directors. The only difficulty seems to relate to the governance structure and providing cover at the weekend. Problems seldomly arise at the weekend. The house costs nothing because it is in Tusla's ownership. It will remain open and has ample space for the other services provided therein. A number of Deputies met the directors last week.

People with legal and psychological care backgrounds are happy to serve on the board, but they have never been contacted. Last Monday, the directors confirmed to us that it was an essential service and they wanted it kept open at all costs.

To repeat myself, it is run on a shoestring budget and there have been no problems on the ground. The problem with the governance structure is not insurmountable.

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