Jimmy Devins (Sligo-North Leitrim, Fianna Fail)

The report details terrible abuse suffered by some of the most vulnerable members of society. It is further evidence of how some of the most vulnerable people in society were badly let down in the past. On behalf of the Government, I reiterated on Tuesday the Taoiseach's formal apology to all those affected by abuse in institutions operated or funded by the State, including the Brothers of Charity services in Galway.

The HSE has advised me that the original inquiry team acted promptly in 2000 by notifying the Garda Síochána of all allegations of abuse and relaying all files and cases to them. I understand that two of those who are the subject of complaints received a conviction. The then Western Health Board and subsequently the HSE have worked closely with the Brothers of Charity in offering immediate support for those affected, follow-up for each individual client using the service, and follow-up for service users generally.

Regarding the number of cases investigated, it is important to bear in mind that only those who made formal complaints could be dealt with individually by the inquiry. While we understand that others may have applied for redress under the redress board scheme, their confidentially must be respected.

I understand that agreement had been reached between the HSE and the Federation of Voluntary Bodies to develop a programme to close all institutional or campus style residential services for people with disabilities and to relocate them to more appropriate community settings. The Woodlands Residential Centre was closed in 1984, and the Kilcornan Residential Centre is in the process of being closed. Residents will be relocating to more appropriate accommodation in the community as soon as possible. I also understand that agreement has been reached with the Federation of Voluntary Bodies to carry out a comprehensive national audit and review of client protection issues within disability services.

A number of important issues have been highlighted by the publication of this report. The delay in preparing the report is totally unacceptable. The HSE has already apologised individually to each complainant and did so again on Tuesday when the report was published. At the request of the Department of Health and Children, the HSE is developing protocols for the management of all future inquiries of this kind.

In addition, I have arranged to have an immediate inquiry carried out by an independent person into the causes of the delay in preparing this report. The person will be asked to report to me as quickly as possible. I am committed to ensuring that all residential facilities for people with a disability are independently monitored and inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority. HIQA has commenced work on standards for designated residential centres for people with a disability which will form the basis for statutory regulations and inspections. In the meantime, I have asked the HSE to take all possible action to ensure the quality and safety of these services. The HSE recently published a formal guidance document on residential facilities for children and will do so in respect of adults early in 2008. The HSE will be making it a condition of funding under its service level agreements that the contractual arrangements between the HSE and agencies that provide disability service will include, for the first time, quality and safety measures to ensure that the users of a service can enjoy a rewarding and safe experience to which they are entitled.

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