Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I also met a parent of somebody who accesses these services and has done so regularly in recent years. She made a similar plea to some Deputies this afternoon. The issue, as I understand it, is that the IWA has proposed to move from providing services in this facility to locating services in accessible hotels in both the Galway area and the midlands as an alternative to what Cuisle is providing. The Government is open to talking to the IWA. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has indicated he is available to meet at any point with the IWA or the HSE on this issue but we also have to be guided by the organisation that is providing the services to try to provide the best services it can for its clients. I also understand there is a significant capital investment requirement at the Cuisle facility of between €1 million and €2 million to make it compliant with standards and safety requirements and so on. I will speak to the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, on the issue and I will try to reflect the concern that has been expressed.

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