Eileen Lynch (Fine Gael)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. I want to highlight an urgent and important matter concerning disability services in my county of Cork, specifically the long-awaited completion and opening of the new building for the Pathways adult disability day services programme, which is hosted by Horizons, formerly known as Cope, in Montenotte in Cork city. This facility was promised as a modern, purpose-built space to support adults with intellectual disabilities. These are individuals who deserve access to safe, structured and supportive environments in order to live full, meaningful lives in their communities. Horizons previously provided two adult disability day services at the Bonnington training centre and the NASC training centre. Pathways was established as a new programme for adults who would not be suitable for either of the existing two programmes, given that these are adults with quite complex needs.

The families in Cork who were to be part of this programme were told an improved service would be delivered through this new service, yet today, despite massive anticipation, the building remains unopened. There is no confirmed timeline for when it will be fully completed or properly staffed, or when service users will actually be able to access the service. The seven approved service users do not currently have access to any service, despite being promised in June that this service through Pathways would be available in mid to late-September. To the best of my knowledge, the building is yet to be completed and is currently not staffed.

As we can imagine, this uncertainty is causing serious distress to families, who have been left in limbo. Parents and carers, many of whom are ageing themselves, are also carers for older family members or other children in the household. They are exhausted. I spoke to a parent last night who simply does not know what to do. Her adult son wants to go to a service but he cannot. He is missing his service. He finished his special school, the equivalent of secondary education, in June of this year. He wants to go back to school but he cannot. His mother does not know what to do. She is at the end of her tether. This is placing undue stress on her but, of course, it is also placing undue stress on her son as a service user.

These families have carried enormous responsibility. They were led to believe the facility would offer care and structure for their loved ones but also, as I said, peace of mind because they would be able to access the service. Instead, they have been left with inconsistent communication and a lack of transparency as to what is causing the delay. It is simply not good enough. The communication has been incredibly poor, at best. There have been a lot of phone calls, as opposed to emails and the reasons being put in writing, which, again, is something I would have an issue with.

This is about dignity, inclusion and the basic right to access a service for some of the most vulnerable in our society. It is about delivering on a commitment that was made. They were told this service would be put in place. I am seeking as clear an update as the Minister of State can provide as to when the building for Pathways in Montenotte will be completed, when it will be fully staffed and when these service users will be able to access the service. The families and service users deserve answers and security. We need accountability on this matter.