Mary Moran (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the visitors from Monksland national school to the House today. I am delighted that they have come up from County Louth and I hope they enjoy their tour of the Houses.

I wish to raise some matters to do with the health service pertaining to my county of Louth. In recent days we have heard news of three events. This morning, yet again, we heard alarming news of overcrowding in Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda. I listened to the story on the radio this morning of an 82-year-old woman who has been on a trolley since Tuesday, when she went to the accident and emergency department. We also heard news this morning as well to the effect that Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital was one of the hospitals affected by the locum radiologist problem and of patients being recalled. Finally, we heard about the unexpected closure of the respite centre at St. Mary's Special School, Drumcar, and the knock-on effects on family members and parents of people involved. I have been inundated with calls from people all week regarding the closure of the St. John of God's respite services. I contacted the St. John of God's centre immediately. The people there informed me that the centre was closed to facilitate staff training and development as well as the implementation of quality and safety improvements. In my book, staff training, like in every other service, should go on while the service operates. There is no need to close the service.

I am asking yet again - this is something I have asked for on a continual basis - for a debate on the health services, in particular for people with an intellectual disability. We saw the harrowing documentary about what went on in Áras Attracta and what can happen. The fact that there is an upcoming HIQA report or that anything has been done should not result in the closure for six weeks of a respite centre for people who are totally reliant on it. At issue is the opportunity for people to have a break of one or two nights so they can get a night's sleep or enjoy quality time with other members of their family. This is a serious issue. I am asking that the Minister come to the House and comment on the matter. There is no point coming to the House three or four weeks down the road when people are being caught out by this. We are all pro-mental health services and have a positive approach to mental health. This closure is having a devastating effect on family members.