Marian Harkin (Sligo-Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Carers employed by the HSE are literally running around the country, spending 30 minutes in one house, perhaps getting somebody up and dressed and preparing breakfast, and are then out the door and off to another house etc. The service has been cut to the bone. It is care on speed.

Those carers are being asked to don PPE and take it off, put on face masks, practise hand hygiene and so on. All I am asking is that some extra time would be provided to those workers to allow them to give quality care without any diminution of services.

The second issue concerns the new document published by the HSE, the Framework for the Resumption of Adult Disability Day Services. We would all accept that family carers of adults with disabilities were abandoned from 16 March. While I am not apportioning blame, we recognise that people were left basically locked in their own homes and we have to ensure that does not happen again. If I were the parent of a person with a disability and I read this document, which I have, I would be absolutely devastated. As one carer said to me less than two hours ago, "Everything we fought for over the last 30 years is disappearing in front of our eyes". Upfront, this document states: "... the resumption of services will result in service users receiving a reduced quantum of service supports", and it describes this as the "new normality". It goes on to say that the reduction in the quantum of service will lead to greater reliance on service users' families and carers. In simple language, the HSE is saying: "We are cutting back front-line services and it will fall back on families - get used to it."

This is in direct contradiction of what is in the proposed new programme for Government, which, on page 79, under the heading Day Services and Supports, states:

We will:

- [commit] to expand adult day services and supports ...

- Deliver increased home support and Personal Assistance hours.

Has anybody told the HSE about this? Has anybody told the HSE that its plan contradicts another commitment in the programme for Government, namely, the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Article 24 of which refers to the rights of persons with disabilities to education at all levels and lifelong learning?

If schools and crèches can reopen, why not day centres for people with disabilities? If shopping centres, hotels and pubs can reopen, why not day centres for people with disabilities? I am not saying this is simple because it is not. If the HSE had said resumption of services would be somewhat reduced at the start but that it would use all means at its disposal to increase day services, or if it had consulted with family carers before it announced its decision, which incidentally, is another commitment listed on page 78 of the proposed new programme for Government, then there would be the inclusive approach it speaks of in its document, but it did not do so.

The HSE document states: "The Government’s plan for reopening the country sets out phases which indicate a very gradual lessening of restrictions over the coming months." That is not factually correct. We started out with five phases and now there are four. We are in phase 2-plus. The third phase will run from 29 June and the fourth from 20 July. Part of the basis for the HSE decision is factually flawed.

I do not normally use up all the speaking time but I feel very strongly about this matter. The HSE document refers to the use of technology, such as Zoom and video. What about those who do not have access to the Internet, those who are non-verbal or have language disability, those who have a visual disability, or those whose attention span will not allow them to participate and who will take one look at the screen and walk away? As one carer said to me, what about the nitty-gritty everyday challenges that parents face in the context of toileting and what we euphemistically refer to as challenging behaviours?

I have two asks. First, I ask that it is explicitly stated that this is not the new normal but a temporary adjustment until the levels of service can be reinstated and expanded, as promised, and that there is a timeframe. Second, I ask that the extra supports that carers need will be put in place at the same time that services are reduced, so as not to have carers begging for them forever. I would appreciate a written answer.

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