Integration such as the Bridge Community,  Kilcullen  is the ideal setting.

 As Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Equality, Immigration and Integration, I am sickened and disappointed at the findings in a recent HIQA report which resulted in Dunfirth House being taken over by the HSE. Dunfirth is located in North Kildare and was one of three centres dramatically taken over last week by the HSE after HIQA inspectors reported repeated occurrences of ‘poor managerial oversight’, particularly with the dispensing of medication.

I worked for years with Special Olympics, championing the cause of persons with intellectual disability and it was rewarding and fulfilling role. I am dismayed that recommendations in a 2011 HSE report have not been implemented and acted upon.

“The 2011 HSE report and the most recent HIQA report both highlighted the need for further action to help support people with disabilities to live in a community environment. The 2011 HSE report on congregated settings has yet to be implemented. The recent HIQA report again recommended that ‘congregated settings’, or institutions with 10 residents or more, should be replaced with supported placements in the community.

I admire the wonderful work of the Bridge Community in Kilcullen. Here is a home from home setting provided for persons with intellectual disability, a home where management, staff and members reach out to the local community and are fully integrated with activities and the social fabric of the town.

How many more scandals do we need before the care of these most vulnerable citizens is ensured? Approximately 3,000 people with a disability were living in congregated settings in December 2014. Not much has been achieved since with regard to moving residents into a community based environment. The HSE prioritised the transition of just 150 people from congregated settings in 2015, and only managed to move 112 people last year – out of 3, 000? This is wholly inadequate and must be addressed.

The HIQA report stated staff with no medical training in Cluain Farm in Westmeath were deciding upon the dosages of, psychotropic drugs and administering to residents without proper monitoring or guidance. This is irreprehensible in this day and age and had HIQA not carried out these inspections over the winter months, this practice would be continuing”.

I have no doubt there are many dedicated and trained staffed working at Dunfirth House and at other residential care homes but this Government needs to stand up now and protect the vulnerable – their future care must be made a priority in its Programme for Government. The South Kildare Deputy welcomed the HSE’s assurance that care to the residents would be continued at the three centres ‘taken in charge.’

I understand the Irish Society for Autism and the HSE are working together to ensure that HIQA’s standards are met. But we must prioritise the transition from congregated settings into community environments for these residents – at the rate the integration plan is moving now, it will be 2031 before congregated centres are wound down.