Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising the issue, although I am not certain we can resolve it today. I am sure it will not be the end of it. I know the Senator is referring to the circumstances of a particular case and I am informed that the HSE is in discussion with the individual and family to identify the services best suited to his particular needs. At Abbeyleix community nursing home, the individual's medical and nursing needs are supported and his case is reviewed every three months by the local doctor, or more regularly if required.

The individual's social inclusion in the local community is also facilitated. In early 2013, the family requested the possibility of a transfer from Abbeyleix Community Nursing Home to St. Joseph's House, Stillorgan, citing its more specialist services and more appropriate age profile. A meeting was facilitated between the individual, his family and local HSE staff to consider the options.

There are a number of factors for consideration before any transfer can be progressed. These include clarification of the individual's needs, the availability of necessary resources within the local midlands social care budget allocation and ongoing discussions between the HSE and St Joseph's House, Stillorgan as to its future service model, in the context of the congregated setting report. Local staff within the HSE continue to engage and be available to the family for liaison and update as to ongoing options for this individual.

There has been a strong move by the State over many years to ensure people with disabilities have choices and options. In response to public policy and investment, the number of people in congregated settings, or settings with ten or more people living together, has been declining. A number of centres have already made arrangements to enable persons with a disability to move to the community. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities also sets out clearly, in Article 19, that people with disabilities should be supported to live in the community rather than institutional settings or segregated from the mainstream of the community.

In 2011 the Health Service Executive, HSE, following extensive consultation and international research, launched a new model of residential supports for people with disabilities. The report, entitled Time to Move on from Congregated Settings, found that, notwithstanding the commitment and initiative of dedicated staff and management, a significant number of people were still experiencing institutional living conditions where they lacked basic privacy and dignity and lived their lives apart from their communities and families. The report outlines a strategy for community inclusion which is in line with national and international policy. The HSE proposes to work with agencies such as St. Joseph's House over the coming years to deliver this new policy. Decisions on future admissions to St. Joseph's House will be made within this context. In the case of this individual we will contact the HSE in that area and I am sure a solution can be found.