Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Swanick for raising this important issue. I acknowledge, from working with him over the past two years, that he is very supportive of all people with disabilities, as well as of the rights of the person with a disability who is in a nursing home and who I firmly believe should not be there. I will respond to that in detail. It is important that we have this discussion because I wish to make clear that my position, and the Government's ongoing priority, is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing service and support for people with disabilities, which will empower them to live independent lives. That is the plan and the vision.

The health service provides specialist disability services to enable each individual with a disability to achieve his or her full potential to maximise independence, including living as independently as possible. Services are provided in a wide variety of community residential services, in partnership with service users, their families and carers and a range of statutory and non-statutory voluntary and community groups. These services are provided within the available budget. Although most families would prefer to be able to care for their loved ones at home, for various reasons hospital or nursing home care is at times necessary to meet their care needs and therefore forms part of their continued care. In addressing the needs of adults with a disability, the full range of community services available are tailored to meet the needs of the individual. The health service works with local authorities, Departments where applicable and other public services, as well as the voluntary sector, in seeking to tier the services to best fit the needs of the individual. There are now fewer than 2,400 people living in a congregated setting and each year, more people are being supported to move into the community and independent living. This year, we expect another 170 people to move on. However, the Health Service Executive is aware that many people with disabilities reside in nursing homes. We accept that point of Senator Swanick's argument. In some cases, people may have enhanced support in respect of their disability support needs.The review of the nursing homes support scheme published in 2015 states that only 5% of long-term nursing home residents are aged under 65 years. However, it is recognised there are a small number of younger people who require full-time nursing home care, such as those who have had a stroke or perhaps an acquired brain injury. To establish which places are inappropriate and which are appropriate based on the primary needs of the individuals, an expert working group, led by the Disability Federation of Ireland, is currently carrying out a review of all those with disabilities aged less than 65 years of age that live in nursing homes.

The nursing home sector is used in developing options to meet the needs of some adults with a disability where no other alternatives are possible. We need to regularly review these individuals to see if, through their care plan, a more appropriate option might be available. In this particular case, it appears that one is. In the longer term, the policy is to develop a more tailored service suitable to meet the needs of these service users.

In 2018, funding of some €1.772 billion in total is being provided for health and personal social services for a wide and complex range of services and supports for those with disabilities, an increase of €1.9 million on last year. This year, through the HSE, we will provide over 8,300 residential places, as well as emergency supports for 385 persons. We will provide over 82,000 respite nights and 42,500 day respite sessions to families in need right across the country. I assure the House, as I have done on many occasions previously, that my ongoing priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable persons in the care of the health service.

As Senators will appreciate, I cannot comment specifically on an individual case. However, I can confirm that my office has been in weekly contact with the person to whom Senator Swanick refers in his question in an effort to help secure more suitable accommodation from that which the person is currently in. I can assure Senator Swanick and the House that we will continue to support the person concerned until such suitable accommodation is found. In addition, I am informed that the HSE has been engaging with the person concerned and the family, and will continue to do so.