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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Neart Le Chéile staffing issue

Summary

Deputy Ward highlighted unofficial protective notice for workers at Neart Le Chéile and a lack of communication or management support. The Minister said she was unfamiliar with the case but would pass it to the relevant minister and seek a response.

Neart Le Chéile is a community-based organisation that provides two services: Cumas, which supports children and other family members who experience addiction, and Cairdeas, which supports people who are directly in addiction themselves. These are two vital services for some of the most vulnerable people in Clondalkin. Seven workers were put on unofficial protective notice in July of this year. Some of them have over 20 years of service. The workers disclosed that there has been no communication with them since they were served this notice. The staff has been left without proper management and guidance from the board for some time. It is to the credit of the staff that Neart Le Chéile has continued to operate and provide a service to some of the most vulnerable people in my community.

I wrote to both the Minister of Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and the HSE over a week ago and I have not received a response yet. Can the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, do everything in her power, and is there any communication she can have directly with the HSE to intervene and keep this vital service open? It is disgraceful that these vulnerable people are being left in the dark.

Comment on this

On the situation regarding Neart Le Chéile, I am not familiar with it. If the Deputy could copy me into the correspondence, I will speak to the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, as drugs strategy comes under her remit. We will see if we can get a response for the Deputy.

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