I want to thank you, Sir, for having given me an opportunity to raise what is not a party political issue but rather a most pressing one in the public interest. It is an issue of public funding and accountability. Above all, it is one about the plight of the most vulnerable of our community, that of the mentally handicapped and, specifically, about the fact that, after more than five years, half of a purpose-built facility for the mentally handicapped, to which the State has contributed some £20 million, continues to remain vacant resulting from the inability of all patient effort to resolve the dispute at the heart of this matter.
The Minister for Health must act now because, after years of futile discussions and negotiations, it is evident we have failed to tackle effectively the scandal of 60 places continuing to remain vacant at Cheeverstown House despite the proven extent of need within the community.
I submit the stage has now been reached at which only legislation can effectively resolve the impasse that has continued for more than five years. Meanwhile, the 60 places to which I have referred are lying vacant while the need for more than 300 places has been established by the parents and friends of the mentally handicapped whose members were forced to take to the streets to air their grievance. Almost £20 million of taxpayers' money has gone towards the creation of this purpose-built facility. It cost £2 million roughly on an ongoing basis to fund it and the public agencies concerned — the Department of Health and the Eastern Health Board primarily — are impotent to resolve the problem and to at least meet on a part basis the pleas of the parents and the community for this very badly needed relief.
I raised the matter in the House on a number of occasions. As recently as 29 November on an Adjournment on the general plight of the mentally handicapped I referred specifically to Cheeverstown House and to a reply to a parliamentary question that day by the Minister for Health who said that a formula was now in place which he was happy, to the best of his expectations, would resolve the grievance. It is now clear that that formula has failed, that the dispute continues and that there is a desperate need in the community for these places. No longer can any party in the House justify our standing apart, notwithstanding how much we admire the voluntary sector. The role of the voluntary sector has, indeed, been invaluable and its partnership with the Eastern Health Board can be reinstated but only after the Minister intervenes decisively to assert some element of democratic accountability and public control over the utilisation of these beds. That is an urgent matter.
It is six months since that undertaking was given to the House and I believe it was given in good faith but it has not managed to resolve the problem. I do not think the problem will be resolved by negotiation and discussion at this stage. Consequently, this House has a responsibility to the taxpayer and, most of all, a responsibility to respond to the harrowing tales of woe one hears from parents who have children who are in need of the kind of respite that Cheeverstown House offers. While there is that need in the community half of this facility is lying idle. It is a shame. We cannot stand over it. The Minister has to act and all parties in the House will support that position. Deputy Roche wants to indicate his assent with this, if that is permissible.
