Carol Nolan (Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We are talking about the regulation and registration of a care centre. These are very basic requirements. The plan was to have 1,000 centres registered by HIQA by October this year, but that will not happen. I would not sing HIQA's praises by any means, but the Government needs to take responsibility for this matter. Registration is a basic requirement, but it has not happened. The health (amendment) Bill will be brought to the Government, but we are just kicking the can down the road in terms of registration in allowing a further two years to complete the process. This is a very small country and we are only talking about 1,000 of these centres; it should not, therefore, be a major task. People cannot afford to wait for another two years for these issues to be addressed. It is further evidence that the Government is failing to properly manage the care of vulnerable citizens with an intellectual disability. I repeat my question. Will the Government establish as a matter of urgency a fully independent root and branch inquiry into all care facilities for citizens with intellectual disabilities?

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