We have had seven months of uncertainty and disquiet for staff, service users and family members of service users at St. Christopher’s Services in Longford. Figures have been bandied over and back with the HSE. We have been assured that a new funding structure is to be put in place. At the moment, they are running the service with a shortfall of at least €140,000 per month. Staff are due to vote again on a pay agreement that will only take their increments up to 2021, which is far from satisfactory. I understand that funding for the service will run out again in August or September. Can I have an assurance from the House that funding will be put in place to safeguard St. Christopher’s Services?

I thank the Deputy very much for raising this issue. The HSE has assisted St. Christopher’s Services to deal with its financial challenges through a cash acceleration process. It is continuing to work with the organisation to sustain its future as an important provider of disability services in the midlands. The HSE continues to link directly with the management team in St. Christopher’s Services to ensure that sufficient cash is available to meet payroll, liability and other essential payments. The HSE is in the process of placing a lien on properties owned by St. Christopher’s Services CLG to cover considerable cash advances in 2022 and 2023. The HSE is exploring options for additional support for St. Christopher’s Services to enhance the governance and oversight process and will employ mechanisms for further audit and financial systems in governance.