Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Yes, I did attend the meeting. In the first instance, I commend what the section 39 or charitable organisations are doing throughout the country in providing services on behalf of the State. This is one of the charity organisations that is providing services which are not being provided by the State but should be provided by the State. The State is failing to ensure that money is provided up-front for these vital services.

Many families and people with acquired injuries are using the Crann Centre in Ballincollig. They are in awe of what has been achieved there and how the team there is working to try to make sure that the lives of people with disabilities are better. As public representatives, we should always acknowledge the work that is being done by the section 39 organisations and their teams which are led by very good innovative people who are looking at new ways of providing services. They see the shortcomings in the services that are being provided by the State. We had a meeting this week on it.

I wish to make two points in my closing remarks. Ongoing funding of nothing less than €1.2 million is needed to ensure that the Crann Centre can continue the rehabilitation services it is providing, not just for County Cork, but for the wider Munster region. Some families are driving two and a half or three hours to the Crann Centre for maybe an hour's play therapy. It is important that we acknowledge that. When will the children's disability service grants for 2024 be announced? They are for 2024. This weekend we are moving into the second half of 2024. I ask the Minister of State to take that back. We need those grants to be announced as a matter of urgency because that money is vitally needed not just for the Crann Centre but for centres which are providing services for children with disabilities throughout the State.

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