Seanad debates
Wednesday, 8 May 2019
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Services for People with Disabilities
2:30 pm
Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, to the House. I raise the proposed closure of Caridas House in Drumconrath, County Meath. The proposal to remove a terminally ill gentleman from the facility has left him and his family distraught. Caridas House is a three-bedroom residential unit, where two people currently reside. One of the residents, a 62 year old male with special needs, has resided there for the past 13 years. It has been his home for that time and he is happy there. His family live within three minutes of the facility. The man has been told that he will be moved from the facility to another which is 20 miles away. As one can imagine, the proposal has greatly upset him and his family. It has come as a shock to them, as everyone knows he is familiar with the surroundings and happy to reside there. It was particularly shocking because the gentleman had been advised by the HSE that he would be allowed to remain in the facility for the rest of his days.
Will the Minister of State intervene in the case and instruct the HSE to postpone or suspend the decision? Removing the gentleman against his will would be cruel and uncalled for, especially given that he is happy there and that a commitment had been given to him that he could remain there for the rest of his life. I ask that common sense prevail and that the HSE postpone the decision in order that the man can reside where he is happy and content to reside for as long as he wishes.
Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The Government's ongoing priority is the safeguarding of vulnerable people in the care of the health service. We are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. Significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services in recent years. This year alone, the HSE has allocated €1.9 billion to its disability services programme. As part of its ongoing service provision, the HSE will provide more than 8,500 residential places this year to families in need throughout the country. Residential services constitute the largest part of the disability budget. Our policy is for people with disabilities to be supported to achieve their full potential in order that, where possible, they can live ordinary lives in ordinary places doing ordinary things. The need for increased residential facilities is acknowledged, and the HSE continues to work with agencies to explore various ways of responding to this need in line with the budget available. Residential placements for adults with disabilities are considered following detailed clinical assessments by HSE services.Places for those with the most complex needs are allocated on a priority basis and according to the appropriate availability of services.
I am advised by the HSE that the centre referred to by the Deputy today, namely, Caridas House, is a small, three-bedroom bungalow situated on the grounds of the health centre in Drumconrath, County Meath, and that it caters currently for two residents. In 2018, the HSE decided to review the continued provision of services at Caridas House due to the challenges experienced by the service in meeting the needs of families and service users. The rural location, small house size, perceived poor access to community activities and lack of public transport were key factors in the review. In the course of 2018, numerous meetings were organised by the HSE with families to discuss future plans for the service. More recently, HSE disability services organised a meeting with the families of the two individuals currently living at Caridas to discuss future plans for the facility and its residents. The HSE assures me it is committed to the continuation of a loving and caring environment for the two residents living at Caridas. I am advised that the proposal to move the two residents to an alternative community residential home operated by HSE disability services will ensure these individuals continue to be supported by staff known to them. Further, the HSE envisages that the proposed move to an alternative residential setting will ensure residents are closer to the acute services they may require should an emergency arise.
Robbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for his response. He is a decent, honourable and fair individual. The backdrop to the matter is that the gentleman to whom I referred has resided at Caridas House for the past 13 years, is very happy and feels very safe there. In the event of emergency, there is a GP located next door at the current site. This gentleman does not want to leave and he was led to believe he could stay there for the rest of his days. His family live two minutes from the facility and they want him to stay there also. I request the Minister of State earnestly to bring this matter back to the HSE officials who made the decision to ask them to ensure the wishes of this gentleman and his family are taken into consideration. It would break his heart to leave that facility and it would break his family's hearts to see him leave it also.
Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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I do not have any further information, as the Senator will appreciate. I thank him for his comments. Certainly, I am happy to relay his concerns and the facts he has outlined to the HSE to ensure this gentleman and his family have their concerns taken fully on board. One tends to have to look at both sides, as the Senator will appreciate. At 62 years of age, this gentleman may have 20 or 30 years of life to live and we want to ensure he is in the most appropriate and best setting. None of us knows how long any of us will live. At the same time, we want to minimise the trauma, discomfort and stress for the gentleman himself and his family. In that light, I will certainly pass Senator Gallagher's concerns to the HSE.