Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise an issue with regard to the Disability Act, the disability appeals office and disability compliance officers. A very serious case has arisen and I do not want to mention names on the floor of the Dáil. A complaint was made in March and the disability compliance officer made a recommendation. A family was waiting for disability services and the compliance officer outlined a schedule of dates that was agreed with the HSE regarding commitments and therapies. The family did not take the case to the disability appeals office because they believed the dates would be met given that the compliance officer had agreed them the HSE. Of course, the dates were not met; as with everything in the disability sector there was total disarray. When the family went to the appeals officer under the Act they were told they were too late and that they would have to start the process again. Surely to God it is a disgrace that a compliance officer, as one arm of the State, states the dates have been agreed and then those dates are dismissed by another arm of the State.

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