Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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I welcome all the people before the committee. I will put a few things on record first and ask one question afterwards.

The word people with disabilities and their families have used to me since the pandemic struck is that they feel abandoned by the services, particularly people who were using the day centres or adult services. Prior to the pandemic there was a huge crisis. That will be multiplied now in terms of accessing speech and language and other therapies and, indeed, trying to find out whether people want assessment of needs.

This morning's meeting is welcome and we need to have a serious discussion on how people with disabilities are affected by Covid-19. We have seen across all the sectors, quite rightly, initiatives such as the July stimulus, which is welcome, but we really need to look at how people are affected. Regarding the roadmap for reopening day services and residential services, and there is a sense that while there is a roadmap and there is talk about August, it now looks like it could be September, is there real engagement with the Government and the HSE with these service providers to give them guidance?

In respect of a service provider in my area, St. Joseph's Foundation in Charleville, and the transport issue there, some service users travel 30 to 40 miles from four counties to come to the services in Charleville. That provider has been looking at the transport issue, but what will be the resolution to that? Many families with adults with intellectual disabilities cannot or do not have the wherewithal to provide that transport because the parents are elderly or because they are otherwise not in a position to do so. What will be the solution to the transport issue? Some service users are looking at alternatives. What kind of funding is available for that?

Is there a real sense of urgency that families have been abandoned, especially as we move on in months in the pandemic? The carer support groups within those families are meeting and trying to help each other. I have heard stories from some service providers who have been giving hour-long respite for families so that parents can do simple things like take a shower and so forth, because there are people in their care with profound disabilities. They have been the unheard voice in the calamity that has followed the pandemic.

This morning's meeting is welcome and further engagement must take place. We need to get all the Departments and Ministers in before this committee to ensure all families get a sense that we as a Parliament and this Covid committee are taking on board their concerns and responsibilities as they go forward to make sure everything possible is done to alleviate the crisis for families.

The words "breaking point" have been used a number of times already this morning. Families are at breaking point and they are really looking for some sense of hope, some sense that we understand their plight and some hope and guidance about when the day, residential and shared care services will resume.

What is the guidance on the shared care services? When will they resume? There is a sense from the service providers that they are engaging somewhat slowly with the HSE, and the HSE is engaging with the Department, but there is no sense of urgency about it.

Could all Ministers involved come before the committee to deal with these urgent matters? My final question is for Ms McCarthy but all the witnesses might comment on it. Is there an urgency to the HSE's engagement with the service providers at the moment to try to make the best service available to service users and their families through the restoration of adult services, day services, respite services and residential units that have been closed due to the pandemic?