Danny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will give the witnesses an idea of what A Vision for Change has meant for people in Killarney and surrounding areas. Twenty-seven people availed of the HSE's Lantern Lodge facility where they got a meal and could use the washing facilities. Under the new model, they are assigned to Leawood House on the Countess Road, where they will not get a meal, will not have access to showers, but will, we are told, be able to access more therapeutic services. The new facility is open two weeks and already the numbers accessing the service have reduced. My concern is that people will soon stop going there at all. Apparently the HSE policy is that starving people and denying them showering facilities will help their mental health. That ridiculous policy must be challenged.

The de-congregation model is equally ridiculous. I ask the delegates to press the point that this model does not fit all. In Killarney, the HSE tried to shut down the St. Mary of the Angels facility, which houses 77 people who are not sufficiently mentally well to look after themselves. As we all know, this world is not ideal and not everyone is born perfect. The HSE, or whoever the wizards are who design these models, must be challenged. The right help is not being given to the people who need it.