Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I am disappointed that the Minister for Health is not here to give me an answer in person. I would like to share one minute of my time with Deputy Mary Butler because she has concerns about this important matter which I am raising on behalf of the families, residents and staff of the Camphill community in Ballytobin, County Kilkenny. In recent days the independent regulator, HIQA, has issued a notice of determination to cancel the registration of the Ballytobin facility. It followed a two-week stay during which those involved with the Camphill community in Ballytobin had a short opportunity to address issues related to safeguarding and governance. The notice of determination came as a shock to many parents who were under the impression that the community was very close to HIQA registration in October 2016. The parents and guardians of residents of the facility are concerned that their loved ones will face relocation if a resolution to this HIQA action cannot be found. That would be very unfortunate. Parents have told me about the great respect they have for the staff at the facility. Staff have established fantastic relationships with residents, some of whom have been at Ballytobin for over 40 years. Parents and residents are hopeful that if another service provider can be found and the issues flagged by HIQA can be identified and rectified, the community could be retained in its current form. If the residents of the Camphill community in Ballytobin have to be relocated to an alternative location, they will face a tough adjustment.

I have taken many calls from parents and guardians who have huge praise for the unique and holistic approach taken at the Camphill facility in Ballytobin where heavy medication is a last resort. One mother has told me she is extremely worried that as a result of this decision, her son will be heavily medicated for behavioural challenges and will not experience the fullness of life he currently enjoys as a resident of the Camphill community in Ballytobin. I have also been contacted by a musician who regularly visits the community. This is how he has described his time at Ballytobin:

My experience of life in Ballytobin from an outside perspective has been of a community full of joy and happiness. The relationship between the co-workers and residents seemed to me to be both professional and deeply caring. I have never experienced such a close bond in any other care community anywhere.

The parents, guardians, staff and residents are desperate for this unique community to be saved, but that will not happen unless the HSE takes temporary charge until an alternative service provider can be secured. It would be a shame to close the facility owing to minor red tape infractions which could be easily identified and rectified. Can the Government advise me of its plans in that regard?

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Let me intervene before Deputy Mary Butler speaks. The reply I have been given is to a different Topical Issue that was to be raised by Deputy Mattie McGrath. As a result, I might not be able to respond to the matter raised by Deputies Mary Butler and Bobby Aylward.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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We accept that. Perhaps the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, might come back to us with the correct text.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Possibly.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I am also very concerned about the situation at the Camphill community at Ballytobin, near Callan, County Kilkenny. I thank my colleague, Deputy Bobby Aylward, for giving me an opportunity to speak about the matter. As he said, this unique community which is located in a wonderful non-medical environment provides community-based services for residents with challenging behaviours who are in the medium to profound category of disability. Fantastic relationships have been built between residents, staff and family members. The Minister for Health and the HSE need to find a new service provider as a matter of extreme urgency in order that the issues raised by HIQA can be rectified. We cannot fail the many residents of the Camphill community in Ballytobin, including one of my constituents, Caroline, who has called it home for the last 17 years. In the light of the unique setting of this unique community, we would certainly like to protect this model to help the most vulnerable people in the country. There are 19 adults at risk of losing what has essentially been their home for up to 43 years in some cases. As I said, this community setting works. As parents have testified, residents will not enjoy the fullness of life they currently enjoy if this unique community is not allowed to continue. I can give the Minister of State evidence of this, if he so wishes.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. I know that they are sincere in their interest in it. I am standing in for the Minister of State at the Department of Health who is responsible for this area. Unfortunately, I have been given the wrong reply. I must, therefore, apologise for my inability to respond to the specific issues raised, but I will certainly bring the matter to the attention of the Minister of State. I again apologise to the Deputies. I expected a different issue to be raised by Deputy Mattie McGrath as that is what I was advised. I will certainly bring the serious and important matter raised by the Deputies to the attention of the Minister of State.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State. This is a local issue, not only in County Kilkenny but also in counties Waterford, Tipperary and Wexford.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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And County Kildare.

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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There are residents in the Camphill community in Ballytobin from all around the south east. In the light of the failure of the Minister of State with responsibility for this important matter to come to the Chamber, I ask the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, to arrange for the Minister in State in question to meet us in person. If he could do that, it would make up for the confusion caused. There is no use in going on any more because the relevant Minister of State is not here. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy David Stanton, for his patience and again ask him to contact the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, to ascertain whether he will meet us personally. I will arrange a meeting with a group that is interested in the matter.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. That is most helpful.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I certainly will do that. I will also arrange for a written reply to be sent to the Deputies as soon as possible this afternoon. I apologise again for the confusion.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Are the Deputies happy?

Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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Yes.

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State.

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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We will move on.