Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 18 May 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health

HSE National Service Plan 2022: Discussion

Mr. Paul Reid:

One of the key drivers of the assessment that was highlighted in previous reports was how we look at the separation of day services and people who are residents. Regardless of infrastructure and those issues, there is no doubt that, by any assessment, the rooms the residents have to live in and access for services and day visitors is highly inappropriate. We do have expertise. There is significant expertise in the HSE and we also engaged significant expertise outside the HSE to undertake the assessment of the building. As we outlined in our letter yesterday, there are issues around fire safety, asbestos, mechanical and electrical engineering, and particularly the lack of social space in the building. It is not fit. I agree with the Senator but issues around dignity and respect cannot be met within this building. We believe our strategic approach is the right one. It is supported, and the Minister has been very clear on that. That is the strategy we are working through with getting more people living in the community, with very good community services and locations. We are looking at purchasing some residential properties that can be supported for this. That has started. We are working extremely closely with the remaining residents and their families on a wide range of bases and supports to do this in a very humane way. However, our expertise has been very clear in its assessment. Does Ms O'Neill want to add anything?

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