John Moloney (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I will be taking this matter on the Adjournment matter on behalf of the Minister for Health and Children. I thank Deputy O'Mahony for raising this matter and I am pleased to take this opportunity to outline the position on the proposed closure of a ten bed bungalow at Áras Attracta in Swinford.

The Health Service Executive has advised the Minister for Health and Children that Áras Attracta is a residential and day care service for people with intellectual disabilities in Swinford, and the service provides for 116 residential clients and 17 day care clients. It is a modern, purpose-built campus with residential bungalows and facilities for clients, including a workshop, gym and swimming pool. Each bungalow is in excess of 3,000 sq. ft. and is designed for ten residents.

As part of the Mayo primary community and continuing care cost containment measures for 2010, management at Áras Attracta is re-organising services to keep the service within budget while also ensuring the high quality of care for clients continues.

Management has engaged with staff and their representatives to seek proposals on how the service can remain within budget this year. These proposals have been considered and cost saving measures, including renegotiation of suppliers' contracts and efficiencies in the use of heating, are being implemented.

The option of closing one bungalow is being considered and will be brought to a Labour Relations Commission review on Thursday. Áras Attracta is a large site with a number of residential bungalows, and clients may move from one bungalow to another following consultation with the clients and their families and clinical and risk assessment. The movement of the clients to other bungalows within the campus is possible due to the reduction in the number of clients at Áras Attracta. The HSE would like to reassure clients, their families and friends that Áras Attracta will continue to deliver a high quality service to meet the needs of its clients.

I would like to take this opportunity to re-affirm the Government's commitment to the national disability strategy and to its long-term goals and objectives, which we will continue to pursue in the coming years in partnership with all the stakeholders. Our commitment in the areas of disability and mental health is consistent. Approximately €1.6 billion is spent annually by the health services on disability programmes.

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