Marie Moloney (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I also welcome the outcome of the marriage referendum. It was very heartening to see the cross-party support for it and to see everybody campaigning together. Tomorrow they will be protesting again but for that period of time everybody acted as one. Some campaigned more than others, but that is grand because that is democracy and everybody is entitled to their beliefs. Anyway, the outcome was good. I especially congratulate those who are not involved in politics but who went out knocking on doors and to campaign for Yes Equality. Perhaps it will give them a taste of politics and they will continue in that line.

I wish to mention funding for the schemes to support national organisations, SSNOs. This is something on which Senator van Turnhout and I have been working. It was also the subject of a Commencement debate in the House. The Minister and the departmental officials met with Senator van Turnhout and I to try to move this forward. Last night I was delighted to hear that the Minister had announced funding of €1.3 million to provide security for at least 12 months. However, I believe these organisations should be put on a more sustainable footing. The Department of Health must move into this area and take over the disability and health organisations that should come under its remit. It should put proper funding in place for them to give them security, rather than have them not knowing whether they will be in their jobs in a year's time or whether they will be able to provide a service. Perhaps the Deputy Leader would invite the Minister for Health to the House so we can discuss it in detail. Otherwise, this will be before the House again this time next year. Some of us might be back here again too, although some of us might not, and we will be seeking funding again for these organisations for the future. Now is the time to act and to put it on a more sustainable footing before then.