Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for giving me the opportunity to ask about the concerns raised about fire safety at Camphill Community Dunshane, Naas, County Kildare, and plans to ensure that residents with intellectual disabilities and other kinds of special needs are not evicted. My indications are that this could come to pass. Families have contacted me. I know that officials in the Department of Health have sought information from the HSE regarding Camphill Community Dunshane. I was contacted by a constituent of mine who was troubled to be told, last week, that on 23 December, their family member with an intellectual disability and who moved from his home in Kilkenny to Camphill Community Dunshane, Naas, County Kildare when he was 15 was about to made homeless at Christmas time due to fire safety issues at the community home. This has been his home for decades.

Camphill Communities of Ireland is part of an international charitable trust working with people with intellectual disabilities and other kinds of special needs. Its website states that its guidelines and policies aim to support a safe, secure and good quality of life for those living in Camphill Communities, grounded in the reality of community life. The Minister of State knows that these communities are a home from home. They are families. We cannot let anything happen to this. It is a lovely, close unit.

HIQA inspected Camphill Community Dunshane on 23 November and raised grave concerns regarding fire safety. My understanding is that those concerns were flagged in 2015. If it was flagged five years ago, why is the issue now urgent? Perhaps the Minister of State can explain that. It seems that HIQA was unhappy at the lack of progress made at the facility and asked for immediate action.

It was decided that the house would be closed as soon as possible. However, the families were not consulted in respect of this decision and had learned that there are issues with fire safety and renovation this year. My understanding is the families were not told about this. It could take a year and a half if the works were to be done. During this time, families were asked to shelter their family members. They were brought in and asked if they would be able to take their family member home. I ask for clarification on that.

This decision means that residents are effectively made homeless through no fault of their own. There does not seem to be any short-, medium- or long-term plan in place, or any plan at all. My understanding is that it is to close on 23 December and I need confirmation of this. If the family cannot shelter their loved one, they have nowhere to go. Some families can shelter their loved one around Christmas but this is a community. These are vulnerable adults with support needs who are experiencing total shock and dealing with a life-changing situation days before Christmas and we are facing into Brexit. We have gone through a year of Brexit and this is unacceptable. Covid has brought many difficulties to families and this difficulty should be avoided. It is my understanding that this kind of situation cannot be allowed and there must be a place found for someone in care. I would like clarity on this. This lack of planning has caused unnecessary anxiety to the family and their loved ones. When one is dealing with people with intellectual disabilities and their families, it is important that communication to the family is given.

I would be grateful if the Minister of State could offer assistance on this as a matter of urgency. Are there plans to provide alternative accommodation for the residents? I do not know. I am sure the Minister of State will do all she can to help me with my constituents and other families like them.

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