Aspect service funding
Deputy McGrath warned that the Aspect autism and intellectual disability service in Cahir could close without renewed HSE funding. The Minister said funding decisions could not be made on the floor of the House but he would raise the matter.
Aspect is a service in Cahir, County Tipperary, that seeks to support people with autism and intellectual disabilities to enhance their lives. It falls under the auspices of the larger SOS Kilkenny CLG organisation. Last year, SOS got once-off funding of €540,000 from the HSE to provide services around the south east. If it does not get similar support this year, the Aspect service in Cahir, which is a wonderful service that provides valuable supports to children, will close. Other services will also be diminished. We need a repeat of that funding because Aspect cannot survive without it. All costs, including wages, staff, heat and electricity, have increased. SOS needs the funding so that Aspect in Cahir town can continue its services.
Comment on this
As the Deputy knows, we cannot make a funding decision of that type on the hoof on the floor of the Dáil. I will certainly raise the issue for the Deputy with the Minister concerned. Perhaps he could get back to the Deputy on the timeline around funding decisions.