Teresa Costello (Fianna Fail)

My first question relates to routine inspections. I am interested in whether, prior to this, routine inspections were carried out during the night or at different hours and without prior knowledge that this would happen?

I see the witnesses refer to the testimonies of patients and their families. Patients’ families were being lied to. They were told their parents were being brought on walks and cared for. I question the validity of the testimonies of patients and their families. Patients who have dementia will also state they are fine when they are not. It angered me when I read in these documents that patients said the centre was okay, and they were happy with how they were cared for. That annoyed me. I am no expert but I know if a dementia patient told me they were okay, I would check to see physically. Do inspectors physically look at these patients? Do they see the hygiene standards?

Also, with regard to the provider, I assume it was paid and collected money for caring for these patients, and I am sure it was prompt with that. Yet it could not keep proper stock of the level of incontinence products available for patients. I find that unbelievable. When HIQA carries out inspections, does it look at stock levels of vital products? There was a book written about this particular organisation and its strategy. Its cost-reduction strategies included low pay, illegal use of temporary contracts and rationing of food and hygiene products, which leads me back to the lack of incontinence products. This removes people's dignity.

The trust is gone for people. A constituent of mine rang me. This is a healthy, 70-year-old man who said, “God bless me if I ever need to go into a place like that.” The fear that has torn through our society is unbelievable.

The inadequate staffing levels of the facility have often been raised. Should a facility not be put on hold when there are not enough staff to do the job? Is the company confident it can operate? It is definitely getting the money to carry out the work.