Ms Patsy Carr:

I return to the point made by Deputies Barry and Darragh O'Brien about decongregration. I do not want to leave with a negative view of what we have achieved in what we believe has been a hugely positive process. Deputy Barry wanted to know why we were not meeting targets. I am not familiar with the 2019 target. The target with which I am familiar was set in 2016 by the Government. It was that, by 2021, we would have reduced the number by one third. We will achieve that target. A number of things happened, starting with the economic downturn in 2009. Regulation was introduced during 2013 and we had a change of model for services which involved something new for staff and individuals. We will only move people who will be moved in the new process and under the new care model which involves a wraparound support service. To deliver, we need accessible housing stock and to adapt all housing. That will take a considerable amount of time. I am sure the Deputy shares our deep regret that a number of people took properties off the market when they found out that the HSE was buying them. Frankly, I cannot understand this. We need to be able to acquire properties that are centrally located also. It all takes time, but the process has been hugely successful for the people who have moved in.