Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief. I support Deputy O'Dowd, who articulated the concerns many of us in the House have, and I know the Minister of State has them also. We should not accept chemical restraint, or make provision or accommodation for chemical restraint. Deputy O'Dowd raised the issue of nursing homes. The Minister of State has been in a facility, which I visited recently, which provides long-term care for people with a learning disability. We were given the example of one individual who was literally sedated for all of the time spent in a previous institution and now receives absolutely no medication whatsoever all because resources, staffing and training have been put in place. My big fear is that making provision for chemical restraint will allow facilities to wallpaper over massive cracks in staffing resources, the capacity and training of staff and the general resources available. In the vast majority of cases these issues can be quite easily addressed by putting in place the proper supports, and because of this I ask the Minister of State to take note of the amendment tabled by Deputy O'Dowd. If it cannot be accepted today, I ask the Minister of State to accept it in the Seanad.

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