Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I, too, wish to welcome Senator Naughton to the House. I assure her that she will witness enjoyable and sometimes eventful debates here. I am sure she will be well up for them.

I wish to voice my concerns regarding the announcement to the effect that, from 12 August, St. John of God services in Drumcar, County Louth, will no longer be providing meals for people attending for day services on campus or from its outreach programme. As a result, meals will only be provided for those in residential care. This is a major blow to the many service users who avail of the meals currently available at Drumcar. I intend to raise this matter on the Adjournment but I call on the Leader to make time available for a debate on the issue of funding for service providers such as that to which I refer.

I discovered this morning that €25 million was allocated to St. John of God north-east services. It is estimated that the withdrawal of meals will lead to savings of approximately €380,000. That is nothing when one considers the needs of the people who avail of such meals, and the services in general, at present. I have been contacted by parents, siblings and family members since the news of this development was broken to people on Friday morning last via a letter. These individuals have pointed out that nutrition is not the issue but rather that there are many people who rely on the meals provided by St. John of God services as their main meal of the day. Will the Leader arrange for a debate on this matter early in the next session?