Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The issues surrounding Western Care Association were brought to my attention by Deputy Conway-Walsh in my capacity as Sinn Féin spokesperson for disability. I have also had occasion to meet current and former members of staff to discuss their concerns in more detail. Western Care Association offers the opportunity for people with intellectual disabilities to live independent lives in their communities with appropriate support. That is the correct way to go. It is what should be happening. However, if the support is not satisfactory, living conditions are not up to scratch or the support is not sufficient or appropriate, people suffer and the people in question are our most vulnerable citizens.

I commend many of the staff in Western Care Association who go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure the residents live the best possible lives. I also commend the residents and their families for trying to make Western Care Association a success. However, the concerns staff had about some of the issues in Western Care Association were so serious that they were prompted to make protected disclosures. Those disclosures must be taken seriously, the members of staff must be supported and the issues must be investigated and dealt with.

HIQA has had concerns since 2017 that the individual centres were not registered and that a loophole was being exploited to avoid HIQA inspections. In 2021, when it was allowed to inspect a small number of services, HIQA found they should have been registered. There are 104 individualised services. How many of them should be registered? Western Care Association says 47 but why not all of them? This matter needs to be investigated properly to ensure the services that should be registered are registered to enable them to be inspected by HIQA. Given that she has responsibility for disability, the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, must step in to ensure there is proper accountability for what is happening in Western Care Association and the best service possible is being provided.

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