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

We have always said that one shoe does not fit all sizes. I believe there are cases of those who I call special people, whether they have intellectual or physical disabilities. Special people are located there. They take them out of there or put people who should be going in there into what in many instances are what I call small prisons. By that I mean a house is bought, rented or leased by the HSE to put one or two persons into. I have seen this at first hand. There is a big fence put around this small location. The windows are changed, and the place is completely changed inside and it is so wrong, because you are telling that one person they have to stay inside there in that small prison. I do not think it is right. I do not think it is good for them. Now, if they can be, I am all for a person being integrated into the community and being in a place where there are services and assistance so somebody can help them go for a walk, or to mass or bingo or whatever they want to go to. It is great. However, sometimes we have people whose disability, whatever it is, might be too profound. They are not able to integrate and be part of a community. They need to be in a special place. In our example, St. Mary of the Angels is that special place. What has now happened is that it is in effect being closed by stealth and I do not want to see that happen.

Another thing that hit me hard at the meeting we were at recently was a lady of 82 who told us that she had better access to respite 30 years ago for her special person, her child, than she has today. If the Minister of State could take one thing on board from this, it is that it is wrong that an elderly lady like that had better access 30 years ago.

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