Seanad debates

Tuesday, 22 October 2019

Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters

Health Services Provision

2:30 pm

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Minister of State for taking time out of his schedule to discuss the matter of the Respond care home in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. The building was finished in 2017 but, regrettably, has been lying idle for more than two years. It is designed to cater for people with physical and sensory disabilities and is badly needed in the community but, unfortunately, has been dogged by delay after delay. The people of Carrickmacross and the wider south Monaghan area are significantly disappointed, frustrated and angry with the delays. Families are suffering as a result and people are rightly angry that a much-needed facility is lying idle two years after construction was completed.

Part of the problem is that up to five agencies are involved in the project but none has the lead on it. That is a contributing factor in the delay in delivering this group home. The net result of the delay is that the system is failing special and deserving people and, indeed, their families. We need to learn from this debacle and ensure that projects of this nature which involve multiple agencies have one lead agency that can take control and have sole responsibility for delivering the project.

In the meantime, I hope the Minister of State will be able to provide us with a definitive date for the opening of this facility which is badly needed by people with physical and sensory disabilities. I hope his response will provide good news for them on this debacle which has been going on for more than two years.Can he provide us with a date for when the doors of this facility will be open?

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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I thank Senator Gallagher for raising this important issue and giving me the opportunity to respond to the House today. 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 Health Service Executive has allocated €1.9 billion to its disability services programme.

As part of its ongoing service provision, the HSE will provide over 8,500 residential places this year to families in need right across the country. In fact, residential services make up the largest part of the disability budget. Our policy is for people with disabilities to be supported to achieve their full potential so 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. With regard to the particular centre mentioned by the Senator today, I am advised by the HSE that a procurement process for an external service provider to run the HSE Respond group home in Carrickmacross has been completed. After the closing date, tenders from a number of service providers interested were assessed and one has met the criteria. However, the cost of provision greatly exceeded the budget available to the HSE to deliver the service. The HSE community healthcare organisation, CHO 1, has engaged with that provider with a view to bringing the cost of provision in line with the available budget. However, this has not been successful. CHO 1 has sought the additional funding required to open this group home through the 2020 Estimates process. As it has not been notified to date of its 2020 budget allocation, CHO 1 is not in a position to confirm a start date for this service. The budget has increased to more than €2 billion this year. Residential services are very important. I will bring this matter forward in the process of dealing with the service plan.

Photo of Robbie GallagherRobbie Gallagher (Fianna Fail)
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My initial response to the Minister's reply is one of great disappointment. This project was first mooted over 15 years ago and it is difficult to fathom how a much-needed facility such as this has lain idle for over two years. It is simply not good enough. I ask the Minister to intervene personally in this debacle to ensure that the doors of the facility are opened without further delay. I ask him to keep in touch and to revert to me when he makes contact with the HSE. It is crazy that taxpayers' money has been used to build a much-needed building but that, two years after its completion, the doors remain firmly shut. This is not how business should be done.

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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The Senator said there should be one lead role in the centre of the agency and this is important. I also accept his argument that the facility is much needed and two years is a bit too long to wait. We share a common desire to have the best possible policies and services for people with disabilities. I want everyone with additional needs to have access to the necessary support in every aspect of their lives to enable them to achieve their full potential, maximise their independence and live rich and fulfilling lives. This includes ensuring that the residential services we provide are of the highest standard and are tailored as far as possible to meet the individual needs and preferences of the service users. I am pleased that I have been able to build on significant existing resources and obtain additional funding for disability services in 2020. With these additional moneys secured, the overall budget for disability service for 2020 is in excess of €2 billion.That is the highest disability services budget in the history of the State. I agree with the Senator about this particular issue. I feel very strongly about it and will do my utmost to support the development of this service as we need this kind of service in our community for all people with disabilities.