Dr. Susan Finnerty:

I will answer the second question first. As I mentioned in my submission, we have concerns about the residences that are supervised over 24 hours. We would like to see them respecting the autonomy and dignity of those residing there, both through how they treat the residents and through the environment in which they live. In 19% of such residences, the environment is unsatisfactory. Something needs to be done about that as a matter of urgency. Since the residences are also large, there is a tendency for people to become institutionalised, lose their independence and stop being part of the community. That is why the commission is anxious that these residences be regulated. While I can inspect them, we cannot enforce action because the Mental Health Act does not allow us to do so. We recommend that they be regulated, as that would help us to ensure that those residential places were suitable for people, be they young or elderly.

Regarding the Deputy's first question, it is difficult to reassure people about medication, its effect on someone or how the illness will progress without knowing the circumstances of that particular person. The clinical team is best placed to do that. In such cases, every effort should be made for people to communicate with the treating team and for the family and young person to be involved in his or her treatment.