Malcolm Noonan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Again, I am taking this question on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte. I thank Deputy Moynihan for raising this really important Topical Issue for discussion. The Crann Centre was established in 2014 and is a registered charity based in Ovens, County Cork. It supports children, adults and families living with a neuro-physical disability. It commenced service provision in 2019 and supports people with spina bifida, hydrocephalus, muscular dystrophy, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, childhood stroke or spinal cord injury.

Crann’s services enable better health and well-being for adults and children with neuro-physical disabilities, and their families, empowering them to participate in work, education or social activities in their community and leading to an improved quality of life. Crann provides tangible and much-needed services to its clients, helping them to overcome challenges relating to physical and psychological health, and social capital, but it also creates significant value through its person-centred approach and a staff who truly care about their clients and take time out of their working day to engage with, and support them, even outside of a service appointment. That was well articulated by Deputy Moynihan as well.

Following on from the visit by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to the centre in June 2023, a business case by the organisation was submitted in relation to the funding for its service for 2024 and 2025, which Cork Kerry Community Healthcare submitted to the national disability office for consideration in the 2024 Estimates process. In the 2024 budget allocation to the HSE, as outlined in the 2024 HSE service plan, a total of €3 million was ring-fenced for eight voluntary organisations considered for targeted provision of services for children, based on various business case submissions. The Crann Centre was included in this budget allocation and received €400,000 in 2024. In addition to the recurring €400,000, the Crann Centre also received €170,000 towards its continence clinic bringing the total funds for 2024 to €570,000.

I thank the Deputy for joining the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and her officials at a meeting with management from the Crann Centre this week. This meeting discussed the supports necessary to sustain the valuable work of the Crann Centre into the future. The Minister of State will ensure her officials and HSE officials engage with the Crann Centre ahead of the 2025 Estimates process. Currently, we are awaiting a decision on the allocation of the strengthening children’s disability services grant scheme for 2024 for the Crann Centre, which may see additional funding allocated to the service. Going forward, the Department is committed to continuing to work with the Crann Centre to help it continue to provide the essential and valuable supports it provides to the community.

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