Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

Ba mhaith liom fáilte a chur roimh an Aire. The new unit for eight intellectually-disabled people at Milltown, Monaghan town, is a state of the art facility. The house is fully fitted and ready for use and was officially opened by President McAleese on Thursday, 17 January 2008. It is part of the implementation of Part 2 of the Disability Act 2005. The objective is to provide sheltered housing, with the services of support staff, to persons with intellectual disabilities and remove these individuals from inappropriate institutions such as psychiatric hospitals and geriatric homes.

I am aware of persons with intellectual disabilities who are wrongfully and disgracefully being imprisoned in psychiatric and geriatric institutions. People experience rapid deterioration in their psychological and physical health when they are wrongly placed in such institutions. This is criminally wrong and it is outrageous that a facility such as Brookvale House, Milltown, Monaghan, is not open, particularly in light of the great need that exists and the fact that people are awaiting admission. Tragically, a similar new building for six handicapped people at Billis, County Monaghan, is also idle.

I understand the reason for not opening the facilities to which I refer relates to the embargo on recruitment. This is wrong. An exemption or derogation in respect of them should be granted. Professor Brendan Drumm recently informed Oireachtas Members that derogations could be granted in respect of the embargo on recruitment, particularly in areas of acute need. Surely this is one such area. Some weeks ago, the Taoiseach stated that derogations are an option.

I appeal to the Minister not to inform me that this is an internal HSE matter. Bunreacht na hÉireann and the Disability Act 2005 are not internal HSE matters. I ask the Minister to exercise executive authority to ensure the immediate opening of the facility at Milltown. A real human need exists and people are suffering. I could cite individual cases but in the interests of sensitivity and out of deference to the families, I will not do so. My interest in this matter arises out of representations I received from those who are in real need.

It is bizarre that this expensive facility, which is located on a beautiful site, is not open as a result of reasons relating to staffing and that those who should be admitted to it are being kept in inappropriate institutions. That beggars belief. What is happening is beyond comprehension. This matter would be funny if it were not for the sad circumstances of the individuals involved.