Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It has been nine very difficult and worrying months for staff and the families of service users associated with St. Christopher's Services in Longford. The service has been historically underfunded and issues have been compounded by its section 39 status. I appreciate that the HSE has forward-funded the service since October, but it still needs an additional €140,000 per month to stand on its own two feet. I would also expect and hope that the soon to be advanced KOSI money in the region of €800,000 can be retained by the service and the HSE will not seek to recoup it as it has already taken a lien over some of its property. We need a commitment that the ongoing uncertainty over St. Christopher's will be brought to a close as it is taking an unnecessary toll on families, staff and voluntary board members and is ultimately having a negative impact on the wider community in County Longford.

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