Rose Conway-Walsh (Mayo, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Absolutely. Mayo for Sam. As the Minister of State knows, I have repeatedly called on the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, to ensure there is accountability and proper oversight in respect of all care centres that HIQA deems likely to be designated care centres. For-profit organisations that care for vulnerable people in our society have been able to avoid accountability and proper oversight and governance for years. I welcome the progress that has been made in this legislation. It is a step in the right direction but only a very small step. It is vital that the Bill passes as quickly as possible through the Houses.

We had issues in Mayo in regard to individuals living alone in what were known as individualised services. We absolutely need a comprehensive social care policy. A loophole in the legislation was potentially used to avoid HIQA having oversight of care centres for years. I have been calling for a number of years for legislation to be reformed to close that loophole.

It is a crazy situation where we have the organisations saying that they can designate this or that, but it has to come completely off the table. There must be somebody in charge here. There must be accountability and governance. Every time we come in here and ask about people with disabilities or vulnerable people, we are told millions and billions are being spent. We need oversight, governance and accountability and we need it now.

I would also like to know how many claims that have been paid were because of substandard care in centres that were left outside the remit of HIQA. I hope this is only the beginning of a process whereby we give powers to HIQA. We need a lot more. Of course we need the resources to go with it to maintain standards in order that people in communities and those across County Mayo can have absolute confidence that the most vulnerable people in our county are looked after to a high standard.

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