John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State is well aware of the services provided by people in SOS and the struggles of families, because she spoke to Francis Coughlan and is aware that they have put everything they possibly can into what they do as individuals delivering those services. They go the extra mile. The families go the extra mile and the support is there for them, although that support has diminished in terms of funding. Without the co-operation of SOS and the families concerned, some may well be institutionalised or put into some form of long-term care, and that is not acceptable. My request for the €540,000 for the respite house and the acknowledgement of the section 38 and section 39 issue and how it is going to be addressed for the future is essential for the continuance of this service. It is not just an ask I have dreamed up. It is coming from all of the families. It is coming from Francis Coughlan, and it is recognised as an organisation that has brought initiative to this. It has brought vision to this sector, and is without doubt giving value for money for every single thing it does. The new cases the organisation is asking to be funded have gone on too long, as I have said already.

The Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, from her experience of having visited SOS, knowing the manager and knowing what people do there, should without any further delay fund the cases that have been there for a long period. That is not much to ask. It is assisting families and individuals to live a more fulfilled life. That is what we should be funding. Organisations like SOS that are willing to get the funding and use it efficiently and properly and in a way to get more value for money are the organisations we should be funding. I ask that the Minister of State be told to make an early decision about this through the HSE and to take the pressure off those families and off the SOS organisation.

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