Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Ceann Comhairle.

The Covid-19 pandemic resulted in the closure of some residential disability services in line with public health advice. The Deputy knows how many there are in Cork. He is representing them, as is his colleague, Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan. They are doing a phenomenal job in bringing this matter to my attention and working with Ms Majella Daly, the local HSE and various providers on trying to get this matter addressed.

The Government is committed to supporting people with disabilities to live ordinary lives in ordinary places. As the House will be aware, officials in the Department of Health are working on an action plan to progress the implementation of the capacity review of disability services that was published last year. The action plan will help to guide the Government in planning to meet changing needs and demographics and ensure that people with disabilities can get the right services in the right places at the right time.

Regarding residential services in Bandon, I am assured that the Cork-Kerry community healthcare disability services will continue engaging with the Cope Foundation in order to expedite the resumption of services. If we are told it will be in February, then we will hold to that timeframe and get it done in February.

What the Deputy mentioned is important. It relates to a conversation that he and I had previously and it is important that I share it with the House. Where there are services that have closed and as society opens up after the pandemic, we need to consider the HSE's skill set. It may be able to assist us in redeploying some of its staff. When we talk about the place down at the very south-----

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