Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise this important issue for the people of the north east, an issue of which the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dowd, is well aware. It will be greatly appreciated by those who depend on the services and supports provided by the Drogheda-based Dignity 4 Patients that my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Shortall, is available this evening to convey the view of the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive in regard to that organisation's current funding crisis.

The Garda is dealing with 120 cases of alleged sexual abuse perpetrated against patients of the struck-off medic, Michael Shine. Almost 250 cases of alleged abuse have been brought to the attention of the Dignity 4 Patients group in recent years. The House will be aware that Mr. Justice Smyth carried out a review into the handling of many of these cases and reported last year.

The organisation received funding from the State's health authorities to support those who came forward during and after the Smyth review. Since December 31, however, the funding has been stopped, at a time when the Dignity 4 Patients group and those depending on it most need it to be resourced. Dignity 4 Patients must be allowed the space and resources to do its job. I implore the Minister and the HSE to establish financial certainty for this organisation so it can be ensured those who are alleged to have suffered abuse in the public health system receive the support of the State, support to which they are entitled.

The delay in bringing cases against Michael Shine to the DPP and the frustration felt by alleged victims at the handling by the previous Government of the fallout and aftermath of the Mr. Justice Smyth review have contributed to a growing and legitimate sense of grievance and injustice. By committing to restoring State funding in line with the application the organisation has already made to the Department of Health and Children and the HSE, and committing to making available the resources required to bring closure to the torment undergone by victims, the Minister and Government would be sending out a strong message indeed.

In the absence of funding, Dignity 4 Patients has been forced to terminate staff contracts, drastically cut services and place the burden of responsibility on to the shoulders of one sole founder, who has in essence become a counsellor, a helpline operator, a campaigner and advocate, an administrator and an accountant. Given the pressure and emotional focus required to deal with cases relating to abuse of this nature, this situation is no longer sustainable. Victims are still coming forward and complaints and concerns continue to be expressed. As the Garda investigations continue, existing clients of the organisation require ongoing and consistent support and advocacy.

This organisation, those who lead it and those who work for it have acted courageously and often defiantly in shining a light into the darker recesses of a system that has failed to acknowledge the extent of the damage done to lives and, indeed, to communities by the alleged activities of the disgraced medical practitioner. I implore the Minister of State to restore a sense of hope for this organisation and for those who depend on it. I am asking the Department of Health and Children and the HSE to fund the Dignity 4 Patients group to provide the organisation and those relying on it for support with a degree of certainty for the future.

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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I apologise that written replies were not available until now. I do not know what glitch caused this but we will ensure this does not happen in future. I will be taking this Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy James Reilly and I thank the Deputy for raising this matter.

In 2010, a grant of almost €172,000 was approved from the Department of Health and Children's allocation of national lottery funds to Dignity 4 Patients. This was given towards the cost of providing information and support to victims of abuse wishing to attend the Drogheda review. This independent review was established by the then Minister for Health and Children to advise on whether any additional information or insights were likely to be achieved from a further full investigation. A former High Court judge, Mr. Justice T.C. Smyth, was appointed chair of this review. The report recommended that a further investigation should not be held and, to avoid prejudicing any civil or criminal cases, the report should not be published.

The Attorney General concurred with this advice but agreed that a short summary of the report could be prepared and published. Accordingly, the Department, in consultation with the Attorney General and Mr. Justice Smyth, prepared a summary which was sent for information to two patient support groups, including Dignity 4 Patients, in January 2011.

An application for funding for the current year has been received by the Department from Dignity 4 Patients. The HSE has also received an application for funding. The Minister is considering the application to his Department having regard to the services that the HSE already provides for victims of abuse. It is most important that any services supported by departmental funding are fully compatible and supportive of similar services provided by the HSE. The Minister will consider Dignity 4 Patients' request with that in mind.

It is also very important to ensure that appropriate counselling is available to all those who wish to avail of it. Both the Minister and the HSE are anxious that all former patients of the consultant are made aware of the free counselling support that is available. The HSE has arrangements in place for counselling support using the National Counselling Service, which provides individual, couple, family, group and psychosexual counselling. The NCS employs more than 70 counsellors and therapists who are highly qualified and experienced in working with developmental trauma. Clients can refer themselves directly by calling a free phone number. This service is a professional, confidential, counselling and psychotherapy service available free of charge in all regions of the HSE.

Persons affected by these issues, but who do not wish to avail of counselling, can also speak with a psychologist or counsellor in confidence. The need for additional support will be continually monitored by the HSE. The HSE has assigned co-ordinating responsibility for these matters to the regional manager for consumer affairs in the north east, who will continue to liaise as required with former patients and support groups.

The Minister will respond to the application from Dignity 4 Patients as soon as possible when he has had an opportunity to examine the matter fully. I thank Deputy Nash for raising this matter.