Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

This is an extremely sensitive issue and as one must not discommode or disempower those who require the Government to assist them, this review group will report back promptly.

Much has been made of the HSE service plan that was announced in recent weeks. If I may, I will make reference to the area of Cork from which I come. I greatly welcome the initiatives included in the HSE's service plan under the heading of disability services. In particular, I again commend the Minister of State on the issue regarding Grove House and how the first group of ten clients are to relocate to what is now termed more appropriate accommodation with the COPE Foundation. In a collaboration between the HSE and the COPE Foundation, gargantuan change will now occur on behalf of those who require such change to take place, which is to be welcomed. Equally, in the south of Ireland, regional eight-bedded specialised therapeutic services are about to be opened in the Cork and Kerry area. HSE south, in partnership with COPE Foundation, will do something that could not be done by the Government of which Deputy Kelleher was a member but which will be done by the Government. At last, it will open the eight-bedded regional specialised therapeutic service to support adults with intellectual disability, which constitutes progress and change. I will conclude by making a point in the context of the issue of congregated settings. Members must move with care and caution on behalf of those whom they represent because they are aware that moving into a community requires more than just a name on a plate or a door or a line in a report, as it also requires support. However, I commend the Minister of State's amendment and Members should support it.

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