Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat, a Chathaoirligh. I join in welcoming Ms Cara Hunter, MLA, to the House and I commend her on her courage and bravery not just in her political life but in her personal life. Cuirim míle fáilte roimpi inniu chuig Seanad Éireann.

I rise today predominantly to ask for the Minister of State with responsibility for disability to come to the House to discuss the lack of a service level agreement between ChildVision and the HSE in CHO 4 in Cork. It is alarming that an organisation such as ChildVision, based on the Model Farm Road in Cork, providing a tremendously important service for children with sight loss and additional disabilities in particular at preschool time, should have no service level agreement.It provides a tremendously important service for children with sight loss and additional disabilities, particularly at preschool level, where there is no service level agreement.

Last Saturday, Deputy Colm Burke and I met ChildVision chief executive officer, Mr. Brian Allen, and a group of parents to discuss the unique organisation that is ChildVision and preschool visual impairment early intervention for young children. It is extraordinary that at a time when we are told the HSE has a huge amount of money at its disposal, for the sum of a ballpark figure of €144,000 there cannot be a service level agreement signed between the HSE and ChildVision.

To be fair, the Leader knows Mr. Brian Allen does tremendous work as chief executive, as does the entire organisation. These young children are benefitting and progressing rather than regressing. It is incumbent on us to see that what Dublin has, Cork should have when it comes to this type of service provision. It is about a world-class intervention and services for children. It is happening in Cork since approximately 2010 with this organisation on the grounds of Model Farm Road with the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind.

It is important now for the Minister to come to the House and hold the HSE accountable for the lack of a service level agreement that would give certainty and clarity to the young children and, equally important, to their families. This is about parity of service and ensuring the service level agreement is signed so we can allow for these young children to be given the service, care and attention they need so their lives may evolve in a positive way.