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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Rehab funding and care contracts

Summary

Deputy Fitzpatrick raises funding concerns for Rehab and the risk to disability services and care contracts. The Tánaiste says the Bill should proceed quickly and be relisted for Report Stage.

Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

We have a list of Deputies from yesterday. In the absence of Deputies Michael Healy-Rae, Jackie Cahill, Niall Collins and Michael Moynihan, I call Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick.

Comment on this

I refer to the Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Bill 2018. The Rehab Group does excellent work by providing a much-needed service for people with disabilities. The group has announced that it needs another €2 million to continue to operate. It has also given 12 months' notice for the termination of all care contracts. There are 3,000 people in care with 1,500 staff providing 140 services in 117 locations all around the country, including in my home town of Dundalk. This includes respite and residential services for 186 children, many with serious support needs. It is vital that the care service provided by the Rehab Group continues. This requires urgent intervention on the part of the Minister for Health. The Rehab Group is doing its best. It is selling off property, closing loss-making services and downsizing staff. I refer also to the closure of the defined benefit pension schemes. This is a fantastic service for respite and residential care. Can the Minister for Health intervene and ensure that these services continue and do not close in the next 12 months?

Comment on this
Simon Coveney The Tánaiste Fine Gael

The Deputy is right. The Bill needs to proceed. It was actually listed for Report Stage last night but was not reached. It must now be relisted, hopefully for the next couple of weeks. No amendments have been put down on Report Stage, so there is no reason it cannot pass through the House very quickly, be finalised and become law.

Comment on this