Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 October 2025
642. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if a business case has been presented to her department from a hospice (details supplied) for the redesignation to section 38 hospice; the communication she has had with the hospice since her appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53402/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to acknowledge the valuable work of Laura Lynn in the area of children’s palliative care. Laura Lynn play a significant role in the overall delivery of children’s palliative care services nationally.
Laura Lynn receives core funding from the Health Service Executive under a Section 39 Service Agreement. Recurring core statutory funding for Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice was allocated for the first time in Budget 2021. In 2022, an additional €800,000 was provided in once off funding. In 2023, €800,000 was provided in additional recurrent funding to Laura Lynn increasing their base funding to €2.3 million per year. In 2025, state funding increased further to €3.3 million, representing over 30% of Laura Lynn’s total operating costs.
This funding has been used to provide a sustainable financial base to the organisation. It has also increased Laura Lynn’s ‘Hospice in the Home’ service across Leinster, Munster and Connacht.
Departmental officials engage regularly with Laura Lynn and I can confirm that the Department of Health has not received a formal business case proposal from Laura Lynn for redesignation to section 38.
