Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I think the Taoiseach understands that when something like this is highlighted, his responsibility is to reassure citizens, particularly those affected and their families, that the Government is on the job and knows what to do. We do not expect the Taoiseach to have all the answers. When I come here to ask questions, I do not expect him to trot out all the answers. I asked the Taoiseach two questions. I asked whether he knows what, if any, oversight mechanisms are in place. If he does not know, that is okay, but he did not answer me. I also asked whether the Government will put in place an independent inquiry into this matter. We all know that the treatment of citizens with disabilities is a scandalous legacy on which we need to act. The cut in the respite care grant is an example of this treatment. The State has yet to sign up to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The reason we have not signed up to it is that we do not have the legislation in place to allow us to do so. The Taoiseach acknowledged a moment ago that the congregated settings review has not been implemented. These are our responsibilities. What happened in Áras Attracta needs to be dealt with properly. As the Taoiseach has said, there should be no division across the Oireachtas about our responsibilities.

I would like to revisit some of the recent details. HIQA says it has received an average of three complaints a week since it took responsibility for the regulation of these services in November 2013. It is reported that 160 complaints relating to care facilities for people with disabilities have been made but have not been fully investigated. It is claimed that some of these cases involve the type of abusive treatment shown in last night's RTE documentary. HIQA has admitted that individual complaints are not being probed and are merely being filed away. Why is this? Could it be the case that this failure allowed the abusive practices in Áras Attracta to continue until they were exposed by the very fine RTE investigation? The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, has said that the safety of citizens in care homes cannot be guaranteed. I understand why she made that statement. In light of all these aspects of the matter, will the Government commit to a root and branch inquiry into care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities in this State? I repeat that I do not expect the Taoiseach to have all the answers to all these questions. It is now our responsibility. It has been brought to our attention. We have to respond to it appropriately. These are the most vulnerable citizens in this society. They and their families depend on us. We have to respond appropriately. Given that the National Association for People with an Intellectual Disability has said a fully independent root and branch investigation is needed, surely that is the least the Government can do.

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