Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Before we proceed, I apologise to Deputy Thomas Byrne that the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, cannot be here and I will take this matter. If he would prefer for the Minister of State to take it another time, I have no problem.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I will go ahead with the Minister of State, Deputy Catherine Byrne. I was not going to raise that as an issue.

In my submission I referred to the facility in question as a training centre, but an assisted and supported living centre would be more appropriate for what is planned in Dunboyne, County Meath. In fairness, the Health Service Executive is engaging with local families to put in place a full facility for 25 citizens with intellectual disabilities who need assisted living and support as they go into adulthood from second level education. Praxis Care, on behalf of the HSE, is already doing it for one adult in Dunboyne. There are many other families who want that support, however. Families have to fight and fight again to get the support and services that their children or brothers and sisters need as citizens of this State. I acknowledge the tremendous work and efforts that some families put in on behalf of their family members, which ultimately benefits the rest of society, particularly regarding intellectual disabilities. Services have been put in place through the efforts of these pioneers which benefit everyone else.

The main issue about the particular service in Dunboyne is uncertainty about the venue. A particular family in the locality has sourced a site for the HSE and already Praxis Care is operating out of it. However, a little spanner seems to have been put in the works. Due to the demand which the HSE has acknowledged, it is now looking for a permanent space for this facility which will be run by Praxis Care. There is a bit of uncertainty as to the future for this particular facility.

Parents, as the Minister of State will understand, are concerned. As well as acknowledging families, some staff members in the HSE - they know who they are - go beyond the call of duty in these matters. However, they are constrained by their bosses, funding considerations and Government policy. We are looking for some clarity as to the service which will be provided from September when more adults come on board, when they have essentially left secondary school, to get the service offered. At the moment, the HSE cannot tell anybody where and how that service will take place. It is important clarity is given in that regard.

Post-school supports and assisted living services for adults with intellectual disabilities are a problematic issue across society. It is not just an issue in Dunboyne but throughout the country. These services help them be good citizens in society. It is an ongoing difficulty with many changes to services. Some have had difficulties with these changes. There is an ever greater demand for these services. There has been a well-documented rise in the number of autism and autism spectrum disorder, ASD, diagnoses. Many of these citizens with ASD are going through the school system and coming to the end of it. With these large numbers, we need provision for them into the future. I know families stay awake at night worrying for the future of their child, brother or sister. We need to give as much certainty as possible, recognising they are citizens and that society has an obligation to ensure they can participate in civic society in as normal a fashion as possible.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Looking at the reply from the Minister of State, I do not think Deputy Thomas Byrne will be happy with it.

I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this important issue today and I am pleased to outline the position on services for young people with disabilities who need continuing supports from the health service upon leaving school. In the time permitted, my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, was unable to clarify the nature of the Deputy’s question. I understand that contacts to the Deputy’s office were unsuccessful.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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That was not the case.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Vocational training services for people with disabilities, including training for the open labour market, comes under the aegis of the Minister for Education and Skills. Many young people with intellectual disabilities avail of this option. Life skills training for people with disabilities who have continuing support needs are the responsibility of the HSE. If the Deputy has any specific information regarding the training centre in Dunboyne, he is welcome to contact the Minister of State’s office with further details. The Minister of State will undertake to get back to him with an early response.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with all levels of disabilities, whether they require education funded training services or health funded life skills training, which will empower them to live independent lives, provide them with greater independence in accessing the services they choose, as well as enhancing their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. The commitment to disability services is outlined in the programme for partnership Government, which is guided by two principles, namely, equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

With regard to the provision of day services for school leavers with disabilities, the Programme for a Partnership Government states the Government is committed to ensuring all 18 year old school leavers with disabilities have continued education or training opportunities. These opportunities may be provided through the education sector or the health sector depending on the nature of the individual’s needs and abilities.

My colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities, Deputy Finian McGrath, identifies the needs of school leavers as one of the priorities for HSE funded disability services. The Government fully recognises that the transition phase from school life to early adulthood is a time of worry for many families. In 2016, all school leavers received the quantum of service requested. To build on this success and to ensure the needs of school leavers are met in 2017, including the need for life skills training, additional funding of €10 million is being allocated by the HSE to provide appropriate services and supports. Based on the funding provided in regard to 2017 school leavers, it is expected that all young people with disabilities who have a requirement for a HSE funded day service after leaving school in 2017 will be facilitated with a day placement to meet their needs.

I fully agree with Deputy Thomas Byrne. As public representatives, we are contacted by the parents of children with intellectual disabilities asking that we facilitate their needs as best we can. Ensuring that those people are looked after should be a central policy of Government. I agree entirely with the Deputy that many families and many parents and grandparents are very worried about what the future holds for many of these young people with disabilities. They may have to continue to depend on a life-long service provided by the HSE. I agree with the Deputy that I have not been specific in the reply I gave but I only received it a few minutes ago. I will relay his concerns to the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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It is not the fault of the Minister of State present but that is possibly the worst answer ever given by a Department. It is no wonder the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, did not come into the Chamber. I am not blaming the Minister of State present. The Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, met me today. He was presumably in the Chamber for the full hour during which the votes were taken today. The idea that he could not contact me is outrageous and ludicrous. The idea that he does not know what the HSE is planning in Dunboyne is also ludicrous because it is not a big town. Four or five HSE centres will not be created to provide for adults with intellectual disabilities who are under discussion at a high level in the HSE at present.

The Minister of State could do me favour by requesting the Minister of State, Deputy McGrath, to meet me, together with senior HSE officials and with representatives of Praxis Care and that might be a way to make up for this. The idea that I was not contactable is offensive. I was sitting here opposite the Minister of State for a full hour at lunchtime while the votes were being taken and he briefly spoke to me before that. I do not accept the assertion that I was uncontactable. I will leave it at that. I do not expect the Minister of State to respond further but I ask that she request that we would have such a meeting. I do not know what this section in the Department of Health is at. It is outrageous.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I will reply as I should to the Deputy. I agree entirely with him. He was told in the reply that he was uncontactable but I am sure there were plenty of occasions to speak to him today and, as the Deputy said, he met the Minister of State face to face. I reiterate that I have just received the reply to this Topical Issue.

Thomas Byrne (Meath East, Fianna Fail)
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I am not blaming the Minister of State.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I will go back to the Minister, Deputy McGrath, and request that he meets the Deputy and discusses fully with him what is happening in Dunboyne. I am not familiar with the service there that he raised. I will convey to the Minster of State a stern message from the Deputy pointing out that he is very distressed with the reply he received, and I do not blame him.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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The next Topical Issue is in the name of Deputy Joan Collins.

Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise Deputy Collins that I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister. If she wishes to withdraw the matter she may do so, but it is up to herself. I have a reply for her.

Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent)
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I was going to say I was annoyed the Minister was not present to take this matter. I spoke to him briefly about this matter yesterday. Parents are very concerned that Vertex was able to contact them to tell them that it had not been contacted by the HSE regarding negotiations on the supply of Orkambi. I would like to defer this Topical Issue until next week, as I would like the Minister to come into the Chamber to take it because it is a very important issue concerning people with cystic fibrosis and parents who have been contacted by Vertex. I hope they will not be too anxious about this over the weekend.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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That matter can be deferred until next week and, hopefully, the Ceann Comhairle will facilitate the taking of it again.