Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Camphill Communities of Ireland (CCoI) provides residential and day services to people with intellectual disabilities and other kinds of special needs in a number of communities in Community Health Care Organisations (CHOs) 4, 5 and 7 under a Section 39 service arrangement with the HSE.  Duffcarrig is one of the CCoI communities located in County Wexford, which provides residential services to 24 people.

Following inspections at the Duffcarrig site,  HIQA issued a notice to Camphill Communities of Ireland (CCoI) on the 4th of June 2021, that the registration of Duffcarrig would be cancelled within 28 days, due to ongoing issues of non-compliance at the centre with the regulations governing the provision of residential services to people with disabilities. 

As CCoI did not contest the decision, the cancellation of the registration of Camphill Community Duffcarrig took effect at 12 midday on Saturday 3 July 2021.

Under Section 64 of the Health Act, the HSE has a responsibility to operate the centre as if it were the registered provider from the date the cancellation came into effect. The HSE has informed HIQA of the arrangements put in place to take over the operation of the centre and now are legally responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the residents concerned.

The HSE are engaging closely with CCoI on a transition plan with a view to transferring the provision of services in the Duffcarrig facility to an alternative provider, with the objective that residents will continue to receive their residential care services at the Duffcarrig site.

The foremost concern of Government is to ensure the continuity of services provided by Camphill in the interests of the service users and families who rely on these vital services and supports. I welcome the fact that HIQA inspectors will continue to monitor the centre during this transition to verify the safety and quality of service to residents is prioritised, which is my primary concern.