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

Donegal disability service funding

Summary

Deputy Mac Lochlainn sought stronger support for iCARE and Bluestack Special Needs Foundation, saying existing funding was only a fraction of what they need. The Tánaiste said he would raise the matter with the responsible Minister of State and ask her to reply directly.

The Tánaiste, as a former Minister for Health, will be aware that, in County Donegal, we have iCARE on the Inishowen Peninsula and Bluestack Special Needs Foundation in south Donegal. For the past 20 years, both organisations have provided a vital service to children with disabilities and their families in north and south Donegal. They did so without State funding for a long time but, in recent years, €36,000 has gone to each organisation. However, it is only a fraction of what they need. The Minister of State with responsibility for disability provision, Deputy Rabbitte, has given a commitment that they will receive the funding they require, but that was months ago. I ask the Tánaiste to comment on this matter and raise it with his colleague, the Minister of State.

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Leo Varadkar The Tánaiste Fine Gael

I am not familiar with the particular services the Deputy mentioned but I appreciate the importance of the issue. The fact he is raising it today is evidence of that. He mentioned that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, has made a commitment in regard to funding. I am sure any such commitment will be honoured. I will be seeing her in the next couple of days and will mention that this issue was raised in the House and ask her to get back to the Deputy directly about it.

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