On the programme for Government in respect of respite services, Deputies Eugene Murphy and Fitzmaurice, Senator Leyden and I met last night regarding the planned closure tomorrow of the Cuisle centre in County Roscommon. It is an issue of concern to the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, who is present, also. We are deeply disappointed that the Irish Wheelchair Association, IWA, an organisation that receives €110,000 a day in public funds, has not to date postponed the closure of Cuisle. We are also surprised by the contradictions given in evidence to the Joint Committee on Health by the Irish Wheelchair Association last week, given the comments made yesterday by the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. We are requesting that the Government calls on the Irish Wheelchair Association to pause this unnecessary closure until the community has had the opportunity to explore an alternative operational model for the facility.

On the same issue, I call Deputy Ó Caoláin and then Deputy Eugene Murphy.

Go raibh maith agat.

I will give way to Deputy Ó Caoláin.

I take the point. Dare I upset poor Eugene. Go for it.

I thank the Deputy for the co-operation.

I am glad we have co-operation. We are on the eve of the closure of the Irish Wheelchair Association Cuisle centre in Donamon.

It is a sad situation. It is a case of "I do not know, we do not know, they do not know and we do not care". According to the Irish Wheelchair Association two Ministers were contacted. My colleague, Deputy Naughten, conceded that he was contacted and made representations. Was the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, contacted? The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, told the Seanad yesterday he was never lobbied by the IWA. It is amazing that the Government gave €39.4 million to the IWA and it is not able to stretch a point and give €1.1 million for this particular venture to continue. As Deputy Naughten said, all we are asking the Government to do is make the IWA pause this situation.

You have made your case.

I have to make this point. There was a powerful demonstration, which was on a cross-party basis, at the Joint Committee on Health last Thursday. One of the most powerful contributions was from a Government Deputy, Deputy O'Connell, who has been in the news this morning, but it was done on a cross-party basis with 12 Members involved. The chief executive officer of the IWA has refused, as Deputy Naughten said, to give any reply. She said she would go back to the board and put it to the board and now she will not even respond to the Members. I ask the Tánaiste to get this paused now. It is causing untold hurt and damage to vulnerable people.

I noted Deputy Eugene Murphy said it was in his constituency but the reason I am standing is because this is a national issue.

Yes.

Hear, hear.

Cuisle has been providing a service to people the length and breadth of this island. It is cherished and treasured by families I know and by individuals and their carers and loved ones over many years. These appeals are not only made on a constituency interest basis. The Tánaiste will know, perhaps even from his constituency, how important this is to every one of these families as the only dedicated holiday resort facility in this land for people with disabilities. I join in the appeal made by Deputies Naughten and Eugene Murphy today that in this final 24 hours on the eve of the proposed closure of Cuisle, the Tánaiste would take the initiative to ensure the Government does not let this slip by. It would be devastating and it can be so easily resolved if the political will is there and if a willingness on the part of the IWA could be demonstrated.

I also met a parent of somebody who accesses these services and has done so regularly in recent years. She made a similar plea to some Deputies this afternoon. The issue, as I understand it, is that the IWA has proposed to move from providing services in this facility to locating services in accessible hotels in both the Galway area and the midlands as an alternative to what Cuisle is providing. The Government is open to talking to the IWA. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has indicated he is available to meet at any point with the IWA or the HSE on this issue but we also have to be guided by the organisation that is providing the services to try to provide the best services it can for its clients. I also understand there is a significant capital investment requirement at the Cuisle facility of between €1 million and €2 million to make it compliant with standards and safety requirements and so on. I will speak to the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, on the issue and I will try to reflect the concern that has been expressed.