Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I want to return to the issue of independent living. I do not have any faith in it because the timeframe is way too long. Would the HSE consider retaining the existing services in Midleton while working around the difficulties? The witnesses referred to other alternatives but I do not believe they are there. If they are not there as alternatives, they are not an option at the moment. Would the HSE retain the existing services until everything else that has been spoken about is in position? At the moment I am very worried. The HSE is talking about building this, moving that, refurbishing the other but it does not even have money. It is like going into the bank and trying to cash in thanks; it does not happen.

I also want to touch on A Vision for Change, which refers to three community residential units of ten places each to be provided per 100,000 population. We are at just over 94,000. We have talked about policy all morning but the HSE is working against its own policy. Do the witnesses accept that under no circumstances should the HSE shut down the services in east Cork? It should expand them and, as another Deputy said, the HSE has the option to have ten-bed units in Cobh, Youghal and Midleton. Why is the HSE trying to close down a service when it knows that the demand will be more intense over the next couple of years? With a growing and ageing population, the demand for these services will only increase. The HSE is saying that there will be other services in place but it is not possible to rent a one- or two-bedroom house or apartment in east Cork at the moment because of the demand so I do not know where the HSE is going to get properties.

Reference was made earlier to east Cork community care. I googled that but could not find anything. I am trying to point out to the witnesses that services are not in place at the moment. There is no backup plan and there is no cash to do anything. The HSE wants to get rid of services while the population is growing. The witnesses quote A Vision for Change but that document says that there should be three ten bed units per 100,000 but the plan is to take 18 to 20 beds out of east Cork.

I will repeat my question. Will the HSE consider retaining the existing services until everything else they have spoken about is put in place?