Mary Moran (Labour)

I would like to raise the issue of the severe cutbacks in the service provided by St. John of God services in Drumcar, County Louth, and the effects they are having on the users of the service. St. John of God north-east services provides for the care of people with an intellectual disability. This year the cutbacks in the service have amounted to €1.5 million. Since 2005 it has had cutbacks of more than €4.366 million. It has continually implemented increased efficiencies to avoid curtailing the service offered to the clients and the staff have taken on additional responsibilities. However, they are at the point where they can no longer continue to deliver the previous level of services within the current financial allocation.

St. John of God north-east services would be well known not only in the north-east region but throughout the country for the excellent service it provides in terms of residential services but, unfortunately, it reports that it will be unable to accept any more admissions unless specific funding is provided for such places. At present, several people are on the waiting list and seven are in urgent need of accommodation. From 12 June there will be only one respite house in operation and the service will be provided on a four-week cycle. These vulnerable users of the service and their families are the ones who will suffer. In the children's unit alone, they will now only have ten days every month to avail of respite. Up to now St. John of God services was able to accommodate a child if there was a major family problem or an urgent need for such care arose but now if a family emergency occurs outside the ten allocated days in the month, nothing will be able to be done for that child. It is frightening that again it is the most vulnerable who are affected. At present there are no places for school leavers to go on to day services.