Shane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for taking this debate, given that he is personally aware of the issues that I am raising in respect of Oatfield House. The Talbot Group recently purchased Oatfield House on the outskirts of Athboy, County Meath, to provide a residential home for adults with intellectual disabilities. Substantial works have been carried out on the property to bring it up to a HIQA-approved standard. However, what parents, carers and the local community want is for Oatfield House to provide respite services for adults with intellectual disabilities as opposed to a residential service. Like many public representatives in the area, I have been making representations to the Minister of State and the HSE. We have been advised that funding is not available in this year's budget to provide respite services at that location, but funding is not really an issue. Given that it has already been provided for a residential care facility at Oatfield House, it is more a question of out of which pot the money would come.

The families of adults with intellectual disabilities in north-west Meath and the rest of the county are looking for a respite facility that will support the needs of more than 70 families. The figures speak for themselves. As a residential service, the facility can look after five to six families. As a respite service, it could look after 70 families. This is an opportunity for those in Meath with special needs and their families that should not be missed.

The Minister of State has taken a deep and personal interest in this case. For many years, Meath has been near the bottom of the table in terms of respite services. There is effectively no respite option for families of over 18s with intellectual disabilities in my county.

We must compliment the fantastic work done by the Special Hands Activity Group in County Meath. It has been leading the campaign to get respite services for people with intellectual disabilities in the county and further afield. It is acutely aware of the importance of respite care facilities and the lack of respite services in Meath and many other areas. Families in neighbouring counties, including Westmeath and Cavan, would also benefit from this service.

We have a property that is ready and waiting to provide respite services. We cannot let this opportunity pass us. The house has been fully kitted out to a HIQA-approved standard and can provide the services in question to many people. If we let this opportunity pass, the Special Hands Activity Group and families all over Meath will be back to square one in terms of much-needed respite services.

I wish to press the Minister of State on two important issues. First, there is a short timeframe in which to get funding for respite services at Oatfield House in Athboy. If the Talbot Group does not get an indication from the HSE by November that funding will be provided for respite services, the group will begin the process of opening the property as a normal residential care service. Second, if funding is approved, which I hope it will be, it must be ring-fenced for respite care at the property. We need this facility to offer respite to families for many years to come and to be able to give assurances re same.

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