Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for coming into the House to take this matter which concerns a scheme to support national organisations. The scheme provided multi-annual funding for such national organisations toward core costs associated with the provision of services. Priority is given under the scheme to supporting national organisations which provide services that target disadvantaged groups.

As the Minister of State will be aware, in the summer of 2014, 23 health and disability organisations were excluded from the scheme. The Minister will also be aware that bridging funding was provided for 12 months by the Minister, Deputy Alan Kelly, to help these organisations, but, unfortunately, this funding will end in June. The organisations are now in limbo as they cannot receive confirmation from the Minister's Department as to whether there will be a continuation of funding after June. In January they were told by officials of the Department that they would know by the end of March, but that information has not been forthcoming.

One may wonder why the provision of funding for a health and disability organisation comes under the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government, but not everything is about a health issue. Many people, having been diagnosed with a disability, are well able to contribute to and participate in community organisations. The funding is used to support people to live as full a life as possible and continue their involvement in the community. It also supports the families of those diagnosed with a disability. It is vital for the continuation of support groups. Last year the Minister provided €1.28 million to avoid an adverse impact on the organisations involved. The work that they carry out is invaluable. Organisations such as the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Neurological Alliance of Ireland, to name but two, are the umbrella support bodies for many groups such as those which support people with multiple sclerosis, stroke victims and people suffering from dementia.

As laid down in the criteria, the scheme to support national organisations, SSNO, is a key element of the State's commitment to support the role of the sector in delivering services to enhance the quality of life of many in Ireland and contribute to the creation of a vibrant civil society. Similar to A Vision for Change in the mental health sector, these organisations are endeavouring to help people with a disability to move from residential care to community settings where they can integrate with the community and achieve independence. Neurological organisations which account for 12 of the 23 organisations affected are providing critical front-line services and support for over 700,000 people affected by neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis and acquired brain injury.Being excluded from SSNO funding means a loss of income of €600,000 which will result in a loss of critical services such as counselling, helpline and home support, vital services that empower people to live in their homes and communities. The withdrawal of SSNO funding will result in potential job losses of one full-time and 11 part-time staff, while two organisations may close. I ask the Minister of State to clarify the position on funding for these organisations and confirm the continuation of funding.