Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise a very important issue from my constituency of Donegal, namely, the plight of the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation, which is based in Donegal town and serves south County Donegal, and iCARE, based on the Inishowen Peninsula. Both organisations have provided a tremendous service to children and young people with disabilities and their families for about 20 years. For 18 years, they did not have any fixed financial support from the State. There was a campaign in Donegal to change that, and two years ago they were allocated €36,000 per annum. That equates to one quarter of the real needs identified by the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation and about one third of the needs of iCARE. Their representatives met Ministers with responsibility for health and disabilities in the previous Government. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, for meeting them last year and I understand she is trying to resolve the issue.

The issue is urgent. The Minister will be aware that during the pandemic, the usual supports from the statutory services have not been there. iCARE and the Bluestack Special Needs Foundation are assuming the burden. I think we will all agree it was harrowing to read the recent correspondence. I urge the Minister and the Minister of State to ensure that the services get the necessary funding. The HSE and other statutory services refer young people and children with disabilities and their families to these community services.

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