I thank the Ceann Comhairle's office for the opportunity to raise this matter. For the past 14 years I have been fortunate to be a member of a local authority but more particularly of the Southern Health Board. During that time I have never ceased to be amazed by the voluntary effort to assist State agencies, such as health boards, in providing services to those in need. If that goodwill was quenched the State could not provide out of its own resources, seven days a week, for those most in need. This voluntary effort is evident in community care, care of the elderly, meals on wheels, home helps, in the psychiatric services and in district hospitals. They carry out functions which it would be difficult for any State agency to undertake even with the best intentions. Given that in the region of £100,000 is provided in any one year by the national lottery for distribution to such causes we must be careful to nurture that goodwill and ensure that we err on the side of generosity rather than prudence. For every pound we put into voluntary organisations we get it back 10,000-fold.
The development in Charleville is a worthy cause. The application by Charleville and District Enterprise Limited is for funding for a family resource and child care centre at Broad Street, Charleville. The development is taking place on the main street in a building which has been derelict for many years. Notwithstanding its unsuccessful application to the Department last year for funding, work is under way. The committee is fundraising on a daily basis. It has a significant financial headache. Capital acquisition and site acquisition costs for the project are in the region of £600,000. Despite the committee's best endeavours to date it faces a shortfall of £200,000.
The list of services to be provided in the centre include child crèche and pre-school facilities, accommodation for nine apartments for the elderly, a fully equipped catering kitchen, a chef operated modern restaurant for service provision and pre-hotel training of personnel, home care agency for qualified carers and training of home helps, after school homework supported by qualified helpers in liaison with local schools, parenting, community mothers, child health and breast feeding guidance. A facility will also be available to health board staff, namely, public health nurses, social workers, qualified counsellors, psychologists and mediation services. Given the range of services to be provided, most of which is on a voluntary basis, this is an extremely worthy application.
The group is well integrated into the local community. In recent years it has worked with FÁS, community employment, the Southern Health Board, Cork County Council, the local credit union, which is supporting this application, the Convent of Mercy in Charleville, Ballyhoura Development, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
To date the Department of Health and Children has been slow to provide financial support for this application. I appeal to the Minister to recognise the role of the voluntary sector and the good work it has done. There is a shortfall of £200,000. Out of a total expenditure of £600,000 it is asking for £100,000 from the State. In view of the range of services to be provided and the funds available to the Department of Health and Children I appeal to him to look favourably on this application.
