St John of God has reversed a decision to withdraw from the end of this month services that it currently provides to teenagers with intellectual disabilities in south Dublin.
The reversal was agreed following a meeting this afternoon between St John of God and the Health Service Executive, which funds the programmes.
St John of God told parents discussions had also taken place "with the relevant ministers".
St John of God told RTÉ News that the services will continue "as normal, until such time as the proposals are worked through" with all stakeholders, including parents,
The parents of children affected have welcomed the news, but stressed that they want the services to continue into the future..
The services are attached to St Augustine's School in Blackrock, which caters for 162 students with conditions such as autism and Down Syndrome.
The HSE funded programmes include vocational training such as car valeting, catering and horticulture. There is also an after-school life skills programme, which teaches social skills as well as basic household and other tasks.
At least 70 teenagers are currently availing of the two programmes.
Last week parents told RTÉ News the withdrawal of the services would damage their children's ability to become independent as young adults.
At that time St John of God blamed funding cuts for the decision. It said it needed "to respond to emergency and crisis situations" elsewhere and that the 26 staff affected would be redeployed.
