Cian O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay North, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I have just met families with children who were attending St. Michael's House. Just before they graduated this year, they received a letter telling them there would be no places for them in adult day services. Since then, the families have found out that the HSE knew this was going to be the case for about 12 months beforehand, at least since May 2022. The families were never told. They have never been told why this information was not shared with them. In July, I attended a meeting with the families and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, where they were given assurances that the HSE would be providing places for them and that they would be in place by this September. However, most families still have no places, no concrete information, no dates as to when there will be places made available and no commitments on transport, which is essential. Some families have been told that places will become available when existing service users no longer need them. This is a terrible way to treat people. It shows a severe lack of planning, which is putting the lives of the families in turmoil. It means the individuals without the day services are regressing. What is the Government doing to ensure that children graduating from school have access to adult day services when they need them? What is it doing to ensure planning is done to prevent a situation like this from ever occurring again?

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