Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I very much acknowledge the important contribution that Camphill communities, with the support of the Health Service Executive, have made to providing services for people with disabilities across 17 centres in Ireland over the years. The HSE is acutely aware of the resource shortfall presented by Camphill and is currently engaging with it to develop a set of proposals to resolve the challenges over an agreed period of time. This includes a commitment to supporting the organisation to reconfigure the current model of service and funding arrangements to a more sustainable model, while still maintaining the particular ethos of the service. I believe the ethos in this case is very important.

The HSE recognises the volunteer nature of the service model in Camphill. Over the recent years of austerity where funding reductions were necessary, the HSE kept the reductions in funding to Camphill to a minimum, as with other similar volunteer-type services. It is my understanding that the current challenges facing Camphill have arisen in the context of implementation of the national standards for residential care introduced in late 2013 which are regulated by the Health Information and Quality Authority. I am aware that some of the 17 Camphill communities have experienced particular challenges in achieving compliance and that others have progressed well. The HSE will continue to collaborate with HIQA and the Camphill communities to achieve full compliance in all centres over the coming years as resources become available.

The HSE is also aware of the financial challenges facing L’Arche services in Callan, County Kilkenny, at this time and have been in ongoing contact with the management of L’Arche over recent weeks and months in an effort to find a solution to these difficulties. I am aware that these difficulties stem from compliance issues with the regulatory environment, which require that the model of service previously provided by L’Arche be reviewed and enhanced.

The HSE has been working with all voluntary service providers on improving compliance during 2015, addressing the areas of highest risk as a priority. These efforts will continue in 2016 and preparation of the HSE’s service and operational plans will be underpinned by a focus on making the best use of the resource invested in disability services.

I assure the Deputy that the HSE remains committed to working with the Camphill and L’Arche organisations, and to be as supportive as possible within current financial constraints. I also assure service users and their families that the HSE will concentrate all its efforts on the continued provision of services in the local community and that work is ongoing with those affected to resolve the current difficulties.

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