Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There are many fine words in the programme for Government about people with disabilities, as well as very noble aspirations. We have a situation where service providers for people with disabilities - this point has been raised by me, my party leader and many on this side of the House in the last while - have been left suffering as a result of the inadequacy of the block grant for section 39 organisations. It is now the case that organisations have to ask for a voluntary contribution of €30 per week per family. They have contacted each family in the past few days to look for such a voluntary contribution on behalf of the most vulnerable people in society. Whatever else the Taoiseach is going to do next week, people with disabilities and their service providers will have to receive adequate funding. There is a massive crisis within the service. It is the last straw if they are looking for a voluntary contribution of €30 per week per family.

See this speech in context