Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Fundamentally, the Department allocates the funding and it is to up the HSE to look at the applications that come into it. I do not know the exact detail of the situation the Deputy has raised but if there are difficulties, it is up to the organisation in question to work directly with the HSE and the task force to tease through a business plan. We all want to ensure funding is allocated to initiatives that work and are evidence-based. From what the Deputy is saying, this particular organisation works well and is well respected within the community. As I outlined, MQI family support services are available and there are no waiting lists. Where there are pressures on the system, referrals can be made to MQI. I take the Deputy's fundamental point about resourcing. The organisation needs to engage with the regional task force, which will provide assistance to work through any technical issues relating to its business plan for further funding.

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