Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Connolly, Broughan, Joan Collins, Clare Daly, Maureen O'Sullivan, Pringle and Wallace because this is one of the most important Private Members' motions to come before the Dáil. The motion hits the nail on the head. I have had personal experience of dealing with individuals who had made contact with this organisation. I wondered if the bad experiences I had were just one-off instances or whether the reason I did not get on so well with my cases was down to me. When I saw the motion, however, I realised that it is a real problem so I was very glad the Deputies brought it forward.

An individual I knew in County Kerry made an application for funding for necessary works to a house, the condition of which was unimaginable. I was contacted to deal with the matter and intervened but the obstacles I met were frightening. The person in question was living in conditions in which one would not allow an animal to live. I thought Caranua would be responsible, proactive and workmanlike. All I want from people, whether a politician or someone in any other job, is that they work. However, the people with whom I spoke on the other end of the telephone had a hopeless and pathetic work ethic. If they were working for me, I would sack them and I would not pay them their wages for the following week. We are all paid to do a job but I found myself waiting and waiting. I tried dozens of times to get through to the relevant persons in Caranua but I often failed to do so. As the motion points out, there was a significant turnover of staff. In the case to which I refer and which upset me greatly, the person responsible for dealing with it changed on two or three occasions. When there was a change of staff, I was back to square one and there was no such thing as a file at which they could look, to see the pictures and the case history that we had carefully provided. We did our side of the job perfectly well and they just had to get off their backsides and deal with it. Instead, there was obstacle after obstacle. If my case is an exemplar of the general issues, then there is a serious problem with this organisation.

The survivors went through enough hardship and they should not be faced with such poor delivery of service from an organisation that is there to assist them and bring some ease to their lives. People who are vulnerable and have gone through these awful situations may have complicating factors in their lives. It is similar to a car going off course. When that happens, it is difficult to get it back on track. These people had a very tough beginning and now they are being let down by the very organisation that was set up to help and support them. I support the motion and I thank the Deputies for bringing it forward.

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