I have welcomed the news that Minister for the
Environment, Alan Kelly, has provided approximately €1.3 million in
bridging funding to 30 health, disability and other organisations for a
12-month period, pending a review.
“I met with Minister Kelly to discuss the
matter earlier this week and I am glad to see that a solution has been
reached by restoring this funding for 12 months. Over this time, a
review will be carried out to identify a solution to the funding
problems faced by these organisations, and to ensure better efficiency
in future.
“Minister Kelly has listened carefully and
intently to the concerns of the groups involved, and I commend him for
taking such swift action so soon into his new position. Labour Minister
for Disability Kathleen Lynch, also played a key role in the process.
“Bodies which are to benefit include the
Irish Deaf Society, the Neurological Association of Ireland, the Irish
Heart Foundation and Arthritis Ireland. The work of these organisations
is crucial to ensuring that people with a range of disabilities and
health issues in Ireland have important advocacy services and adequate
representation at the negotiating table.
“I am pleased that Labour has played a
critical role in ensuring the viability of these services until such
time as a more sustainable solution can be realised. In the meantime I
want to thank Ministers Kelly and Lynch for their foresight and
decisiveness in this matter.”
No comments:
Post a Comment