Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Goldsboro for raising this important matter in the Seanad this afternoon. I am taking this Commencement matter on behalf of the Minister of State, Deputy Butler.

As the Senator stated, just last month, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, had the opportunity to visit Cluain Training and Enterprise Centre in Clonmel. It is a model of best practice on how we support people with disabilities, acquired brain injuries and mental health challenges. The centre provides a wide range of services, including many different training opportunities, day services and activities to foster social enterprise. These programmes are free of charge to participants and, crucially, are tailored to meet the needs of each person who attends the centre.

During the Minister of State's visit, she was struck by the centre's deep commitment to person-centred support. Staff worked closely with each trainee to identify their goals and aspirations, including progressing to further education, preparing for employment or building confidence and social skills. Training programmes on offer are accredited at QQI level 3 and provide a clear pathway for participants to move forward in their lives with dignity and purpose. The Cluain centre also plays an important role in promoting positive mental health and inclusion in the local community. Anyone who attends the centre is seen, heard and supported. The centre’s social enterprise activities, in particular, offer meaningful engagement and a sense of contribution to the wider community. It is a place of hope, opportunity and real transformation. Following the visit, the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, asked her officials in the mental health section to engage directly with the head of disability services in the region, who was also present on the day, to develop a joined-up, comprehensive plan for the centre’s future, which is what the Senator called for in her contribution.

The Cluain centre has historically been funded and managed through HSE disability services. HSE disability services are actively supporting the Cluain training centre in relation to funding and quality standards for new directions. In addition, in 2024 and for the majority of 2023, disability services have also provided a full-time staff resource to enable the Cluain training centre to meet day service standards and sustainability. The Minister of State, Deputy Butler, firmly believes the mental health budget must also contribute. The programmes delivered by Cluain reflect our shared responsibilities to the people participating in them and we must reflect that in how we resource services. Centres like Cluain are the backbone of community-based care. They deserve our full support.