Seán Canney TD, Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers, has welcomed the Government decision to redesignate LauraLynn Children’s Hospice from Section 39 to Section 38 status. The redesignation means the children’s hospice will be fully State-funded.

LauraLynn, which operates a community-based hub in Ballinasloe, is the only children’s hospice in the State and provides care and support to children and families across all 26 counties through inpatient hospice, community and home-based services.

Minister Canney said: “This is a very important decision for LauraLynn and, most importantly, for the children and families who rely on its services.

“LauraLynn provides an invaluable service to families right across the country. Moving to Section 38 status will provide the organisation with the financial and workforce stability it needs to plan and provide these essential services into the future.

“It will also end dependence on fundraising to support core clinical services and put children’s hospice care on a more secure and sustainable footing.”

Under the new Section 38 arrangement, the total annual funding cost will be €11.46 million.

The redesignation will bring LauraLynn into line with specialist adult hospice services, which are now fully State funded. It will provide greater service assurance and financial stability, support workforce planning, recruitment and retention, and enable more effective long-term planning and future service development.

Minister Canney added: “LauraLynn does extraordinary work supporting children with complex palliative care needs and their families. This decision recognises that children’s hospice care is an essential part of our health service and gives LauraLynn greater certainty for the future.”