Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I sincerely thank Deputy Tully and Sinn Féin for bringing this important motion tonight. I thank the Minister of State for being here, but I put on the record that I think it disrespectful to the party and the Deputy who has worked diligently to bring this forward. I mean no disrespect to the Minister of State, and I know there are probably other pressing matters for a senior Minister, but when there is a debate of importance like this the Minister for Health should be here. I really believe that.

Over the past decade, the cost of providing disability services has increased dramatically. However, the funding needed to cover these costs has not kept pace. Several key factors have contributed to these rising costs, such as the lack of planned residential supports, complex needs, insurance costs, unplanned care for children, changing need of older adults, pay restoration and increments. Meeting compliance costs has also become more expensive without necessary funding being provided to cover these costs. New policy initiatives have been introduced without the additional required funding.

Additional factors that have worsened this crisis are the unmet need for respite. On that subject, my brother and I attended a meeting in a special place that is close to my heart called St. Mary of the Angels in Beaufort, County Kerry. That was a farm donated by a family a long time ago. A mother and father were farmers and they had one daughter who was a nun. At the time, they were thinking what they would do with their farm and they donated it. It was called St. Mary of the Angels, and it is a special place. I always call it a centre of excellence. It was a place for young people who had intellectual or physical disabilities. They had every facility. It is located on a farm and there are landscaped walks. It is a beautiful place. Local people from Killorglin, Beaufort and Glencar all work in that excellent facility - a centre of excellence. What are we as politicians doing? In effect, we are closing it down by stealth.

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