Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil to discuss a matter of national importance: today, which is the international day of persons with disabilities, more than 300 people with an intellectual disability are inappropriately placed in our psychiatric hospitals. It is now more than 25 years since Government policy first stated the need for separate facilities for people with intellectual or mental disabilities, but the situation persists. People with an intellectual disability who are resident in psychiatric hospitals are amongst the most vulnerable in society and are being dealt with in a shameful manner. They must be moved to more suitable accommodation without further delay and I request an urgent debate to discuss this serious matter.

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