It has been nine very difficult and worrying months for staff and the families of service users associated with St. Christopher's Services in Longford. The service has been historically underfunded and issues have been compounded by its section 39 status. I appreciate that the HSE has forward-funded the service since October, but it still needs an additional €140,000 per month to stand on its own two feet. I would also expect and hope that the soon to be advanced KOSI money in the region of €800,000 can be retained by the service and the HSE will not seek to recoup it as it has already taken a lien over some of its property. We need a commitment that the ongoing uncertainty over St. Christopher's will be brought to a close as it is taking an unnecessary toll on families, staff and voluntary board members and is ultimately having a negative impact on the wider community in County Longford.

I thank Deputy Flaherty. I am familiar with the excellent work the staff in St. Christopher's do on an ongoing basis. I thank him for advocating for them in the House this afternoon. There are ongoing meetings between the HSE and St. Christopher's. As he has acknowledged, the HSE has assisted St. Christopher's in dealing with financial challenges through a cash acceleration process and work is continuing between the HSE and St. Christopher's to make sure there is a sustainable basis for the continued provision of services for the people of the region. We have to arrive at a point where St. Christopher's is on a sustainable funding basis. That may well involve enhancements to governance and oversight processes, which I am sure the service is open to. If I can be of any assistance, I ask the Deputy to reach out.