Michael Comiskey (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. My motion relates to cuts in funding to Cregg House, Rosses Point, County Sligo. There was a large turnout in Sligo town last night to protest against the cuts, which amount to approximately €1.3 million. This is on top of a cut that the order of nuns, the Daughters of Wisdom, were subjected to last year. They look after approximately 214 residents with severe disabilities from the area. They have been looking after people in the area for up to 50 years. It is important that these cuts are reversed if possible to allow them to continue to provide the services. In addition, there are more than 200 people employed in the service. It is a vital employer in the region around Sligo.