Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I thank the Senator and acknowledge this is not the first time he has shown an interest in this issue. I thank him for raising this matter, which gives me an opportunity to outline the current position in respect of Wisdom Services. To correct one point, when I stated that there had been difficulties, it was never to indicate there was mismanagement or something untoward with the service. I believe this contribution probably will confirm this was never the intention. As the Senator is aware, Wisdom Services is a voluntary body operated by the Daughters of Wisdom, which provides services for people with disabilities in the north-western region. It supports more than 200 service users, with 111 on campus, 75 in the community and 20 day attendees. I was disappointed to learn that the Daughters of Wisdom, who operate Wisdom Services, have advised the HSE they intend to withdraw from the provision of services on behalf of the HSE. The decision was made in the light of serious concerns on the part of Wisdom Services regarding a deficit built up in 2010 and 2011 which continues to increase in 2012, and other financial concerns. When I stated there were difficulties in arrears that is what I meant.

Wisdom Services have written to all families of service users. Sister Quinn informed me in writing that all families were telephoned as well, which is only what I would expect from a service that has been in operation for a considerable time and which, from everything I have heard, has delivered an excellent service. They also arranged staff briefings to outline their reasons for withdrawal. Wisdom Services have been funded consistently by the HSE over the years and also benefited from additional intellectual disability developmental funding in the period 2006 to 2011, along with additional capital funding in this period. All services need to update and I am sure that is what this money was about. This compared favourably with the percentage of intellectually disabled, or ID, clients from this area who were covered by their services. I do not accept that this service has been underfunded, allowing for the necessary reductions which have been applied to all service providers in recent years.

The HSE has been working with Wisdom Services for some time to address their financial concerns and identify opportunities for efficiencies and savings through potential new combinations of service deliveries in the north-west area. Wisdom Services had a cost containment plan for 2012 which has had some success but in spite of the detailed engagement by the HSE in an effort to resolve the various issues, and faced with significant financial concerns, Wisdom Services decided to voluntarily withdraw from service provision.

The HSE is working closely with Wisdom Services to ensure continuity of service for service users during an agreed transition phase for the service. The process for transition has now commenced and the first meeting of a steering group of Wisdom Services management and HSE officials was held yesterday, Monday, 18 June. The process will include a due diligence exercise to establish the options for future management of these services.

It is regrettable that the Daughters of Wisdom made the decision they were no longer in a position to augment or subsidise the services provided and that they have decided to cease as a provider. The HSE respects this view and all parties have agreed a co-operative approach to the transition process to ensure the needs of service users and their families will continue to be met.

On behalf of the Minister for Health, I express thanks to Wisdom Services for their dedication and commitment to providing services to children and adults within the north west since 1955, and wish them well for the future. That is a substantial period during which to have delivered a service. I regret that the Daughters of Wisdom have withdrawn from the service. I believe a solution could have been found. However, the deficits that continued to increase could not be sustained. The Daughters of Wisdom have provided an excellent service down through the years at a time when, as I have stated consistently, the State was not providing that service. We owe a debt of gratitude to these people that we will find very difficult to repay.