Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Noone for agreeing to share time. I shall not repeat everything that has been said.

Senator Hopkins and Feighan, among others, have spoken very passionately about the closure over the last number of weeks. Nobody is more in favour of getting rid of congregated settings for people with disabilities than I am. I am of the view that people with disabilities should live in communities and receive equal treatment. The virtue of being treated equally would mean that they would have a choice but they would not have a choice if Cuisle is closed down.

I am concerned that the IWA has known about the situation for over two years but suddenly, on 18 October, decided to close down the facility and made the announcement. I shall respond to the claim by the IWA that it cannot afford €1.1 million and there is a different model of care. When I was a child when I did something wrong I gave an excuse. However, if I gave a second excuse my father would always say to me that I gave a second excuse as I did not believe the first one. Therefore, the first excuse had no weight in the first place. By virtue of the fact that the IWA gave two excuses it means that neither of its excuses can stand up on its own, which is very weak.

Hotel accommodation does not suit everybody, which I have heard from everybody to whom I have spoken about this matter, and that is what I learned from the calls that I have received from service users and their families. This issue is not just about holidays but very necessary respite where service users are comfortable, which is really important.

I do not like having a go at the Minister of State but I always feel that disability services have been treated like low-hanging fruit. I mean that when money must be taken away, it is taken from disability services. He has said that money is not an issue and I accept his bona fides on that. Really and truly, we need to say to the IWA that the money is available, if that is what is necessary, and ask to please postpone the closure for six or 12 months to consider the issues. We need to have absolute engagement with the IWA, service users and their families because they are the people who are most affected. I urge the Minister of State to consider my suggestion as I believe that is what he would like in his own heart and it is vital for the service.