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

I thank Deputy Conway-Walsh and Sinn Féin's spokesperson on disability, Deputy Tully, for tabling this Topical Issue matter. Western Care Association is funded by the HSE under the section 39 of the Health Act 2004. It provides services to more than 700 children, young people and adults with learning disabilities in the catchment area of County Mayo. That is a considerable number of individuals whom Western Care Association supports. Recent matters of concern are understood to relate to regulatory compliance and regulatory protection for certain services. I take on board the point that 2017 is not recent.

I am advised that Western Care Association has 35 designated centres that are registered with HIQA. These designated centres currently provide full-time residential support to 105 people. In addition, Western Care Association supports a further cohort of people by way of what the organisation terms "individualised services". Under the Health Act 2007, the requirement for registration with HIQA applies to residential disability services, including residential respite. HIQA determines which services come within its ambit in accordance with the relevant statutory provisions and the authority is examining this in respect of the organisation.

HIQA also has responsibility for setting standards for healthcare services and monitoring compliance with those standards. It regulates facilities that provide care for those with disabilities to determine whether they are meeting the relevant national standard.

The Chief Inspector of Social Services in HIQA has assured me that her office is actively engaging with Western Care Association and action has been taken to prioritise the safety and quality of care and support residents. Work is ongoing to ensure residents have the appropriate regulatory protection.

An escalated level of inspection activity in Western Care Association has been initiated and the chief inspector's team is engaging with the organisation's board of directors and executive management. The HSE is also engaging with Western Care Association to address any immediate concerns and prioritise actions, with a focus on improving outcomes for persons supported by the organisation. The HSE is working with Western Care Association in the context of its service agreement and service improvement framework process. There is, therefore, a lot of ongoing work between the regulatory body, the HSE, the board and the management.

I thank the people who have come forward and highlighted issues. I thank the staff who work in Western Care Association for the continuous care they give. I also reassure the 700 families who have loved ones participating. We all know that Western Care Association is a fantastic service provider in Mayo. However, we also need to bring reassurance that their loved ones are protected and minded to the highest possible standard. I thank HIQA for what it is doing.

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