Michael McCarthy (Labour)

Last week we debated the BreastCheck service. The failure of the Government to extend that scheme is inexcusable and indefensible. We hear excuses as to the reason it is not in place from Senators on the other side of the House but it is just not good enough. It is a disgrace that a scheme which can detect such a serious illness has not been extended nationwide.

Last Monday night in Bantry in west Cork I attended an information meeting called by a voluntary service provider in the area of disability called CoAction. CoAction deals with some hundreds of people with intellectual difficulties and children with special needs. It provides a range of resources and services. In recent years it has primarily been driven by volunteers. These wonderful people have met 20% of its annual expenditure in recent years through fundraising. Unfortunately, the organisation is talking about making people redundant and cutting its services because the Government has reneged on a commitment given to it in 1997 to give €1.5 million per annum to fund the core part of its services. That results in the people concerned having to implement harsh, nasty, cruel cuts because the Government does not care.

The Book of Estimates, which was bandied about before the horrendous budget that followed late last year, is now coming home to roost. It is hitting the most vulnerable and the worst-off in our society. What kind of Administration stands idly by and contemplates buying a government jet for €40 million or €60 million while it can see organisations like CoAction in west Cork starved of funding? That is not something to be proud of but something to be ashamed of. Senators, who table a Private Members' motion to the effect that the Government should get a clap on the back, want their heads examined.

I accept the Minister is a busy man and that a number of representations will be made to him concerning CoAction. However, I hope he will find it in his heart to use his political resources to give €1.5 million per annum to organisations like it. I particularly ask him to address service providers which work for those with disabilities. The horror being inflicted on families with children of special needs is unthinkable.