Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

This is a very serious issue. A gentleman has been effectively under the care of disability services in a place called Caridas House in Drumconrath, Navan, County Meath, since 2007. At times he has been illegally asked to pay rent to the HSE, although I understand that was stopped when the HSE decided it was illegal, as it was not allowed to be a landlord. However, there is doubt about the fact that the man in question is under the care of disability services. A number of weeks ago this gentleman, whom I have not named but whose details I have given to the Minister, was told that a health and safety issue had arisen in Caridas House, which was the case, but he was told that he would be allowed to go back there as soon as the matter had been rectified. That has not turned out to be the case. Since being unceremoniously evicted - I repeat the words of a HSE member of staff who acted as a whistleblower - the man has been put in temporary accommodation, and he has been told he will be put on the homeless register in Navan and put into temporary homeless accommodation.

The man is autistic and has severe difficulties living his daily life. I have sought legal advice for him on the issue. No private landlord would be allowed to get away with what has happened. No nursing home or residential care facility would do that to anyone, yet it has happened in County Meath that an autistic man under the care of the HSE has been thrown out. He is getting some help from various members of staff of the HSE, but there seems to be a determination to move him on. There was a suggestion that he would be given an alternative place to live, but I understand the offer has been withdrawn. I seek clarity in that regard because if that is the case I would like to see some action. What happened the man is unfair. I would like the Minister to investigate the issue. I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, cannot be present. It was suggested that the discussion of this matter might be postponed until tomorrow, which I would have preferred, but her office suggested that the Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh, respond instead, and I accepted that approach. The man in question must be given his rights. He has been treated absolutely appallingly by the HSE. What happened was really disgusting.He is a man who causes no harm to others, as I have discovered from talking to people in the village in which he lives. He spends a lot of time by himself due to his autism. He needs the accommodation, which was effectively sheltered accommodation for disabled persons. He was kicked out of it. I would like answers.

I sent a fax to the chief executive of the HSE, the relevant person in Meath, the Minister for Health and the Ombudsman last Friday. I have received no response from anybody and have decided to raise the matter here today. I would not have raised it had I received some kind of response, but I have not received an acknowledgement from anybody of this serious situation. I do not like raising the matter publicly, but I have received the man's permission to do so. I do not want to name him, but it is a very serious situation. I have not come across anything like it before.