Hope(D) funding
Deputy Ryan said the Newbridge mental health charity Hope(D) was closing unless it received €40,000 and criticised the lack of HSE support. The Taoiseach, after clarification of the name, said he would pursue the matter with the HSE and investigate the decision.
We are out of time but we will take 30-second questions from the two remaining Deputies. I call Deputy Ryan.
Comment on this
Last week, the local mental health charity, Hope(D), which is based in Newbridge, announced it will be winding down its service and closing at the end of the summer. It needs just €40,000 to secure a service for the rest of the year. People leaving HSE mental health service facilities at Naas hospital are given a leaflet along with some tablets, if they are lucky, yet the HSE refers service users to Hope(D) while providing no funding. Last night, a train service through Monasterevin was closed due to a tragic incident, and my thoughts and prayers are with the family of the deceased. I ask the Taoiseach to personally intervene to save this vital, life-saving service before it is too late.
Comment on this
The St. Margaret's service in Blackrock, which caters for people with intellectual disabilities - people with very complex needs - and their families, has made an urgent request for the publication of the action plan for the disability capacity review. The review was published in July 2021. The Department of Health said the action plan would be completed by December 2021 and there is no sign of it. It is asking very particularly that this be done as a matter of urgency so the needs and the residential and home support places, both existing and new, will be catered for and provided for in budget 2023.