Letters dated June 25 were circulated to parents advising them that while the DOC had applied for HSE funding it was “not yet released” and staff were “concerned that we may not be in a position to offer new services in 2008”.

Deputy O’Donnell challenged Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy John Moloney, because “the funding has not been allocated. I understand that the department is engaged in discussions with the HSE regarding how the €50 million will be spent”.

“They [the nine young people] have no future and do not know where they stand and neither do their parents. Furthermore, the other six young adults who will finish their rehabilitative training programme this month are in a similar situation. The Government must put its money where its mouth is. This is appalling.”

The Minister replied that “the funding will be in place for the children in question”.

“There has been a delay in explaining how soon it will come through. Most of the concerns raised, quite properly, by the voluntary organisations were raised because they had not heard that the funding was in place. The reality is that once we can commit ourselves to allocating the funding, the issue will be dealt with.”

He added that “the HSE has assured me, following discussions all week, that it is now in a position to roll out the planned developments, as outlined in its 2008 service plan. I am saying those services will be guaranteed.”

Deputy O’Donnell said that he was informed that the HSE would be dealing with the issue “in the next 10 days” (by July 11).

“We want the Government to honour its commitment so that these service providers can recruit the necessary staff and can write to parents to tell them that these places will be there in September. I understand that the DOC has had a verbal commitment from the HSE but I want formal notification to be given this week,” he said.

“Organisations in the area of disability services should never end up in a situation where the Government is playing with taxpayers’ money in terms of cash flow. The Minister has now given a personal commitment that these services will be in place.”

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