I thank you and the Ceann Comhairle for choosing this item and the Minister of State for coming into the House to listen to what I have to say.
Pauline will be 14 years old in December. She is mentally handicapped and emotionally disturbed. Since the age of five she was catered for on a daily basis by the Brothers of Charity, Boyle, County Roscommon. I pay tribute to the Brothers of Charity for the tremendous level of care provided for Pauline during the years and for their absolute devotion to her welfare. No words could adequately express the gratitude of Pauline's parents for the level of service provided for her and for the daily relief provided for them as the parents of a handicapped child.
However, approximately one and a half years ago Pauline's parents were notified by the Brothers of Charity that they could no longer cope with her, she was extremely strong, given to tantrums and they could no longer devote the physical resources on a daily basis to cope with her. An arrangement was made which, very kindly was paid for by the Brothers of Charity whereby two women were employed to take Pauline into their home on a Monday to Friday basis. This arrangement operated very satisfactorily and provided tremendous relief for the parents who took Pauline home each weekend. However, two weeks ago the two women caring for Pauline notified the Brothers of Charity and her parents that they could no longer provide custody and care for the child. She is now back home with her parents.
Pauline is literally uncontrollable. She has the strength of an adult and requires two people to contain and restrain her at times. Everything within reach is in danger; plates, implements and pieces of furniture regularly become missiles. Some tantrums can even lead to biting. The situation has to be seen to be believed and I have seen it. Everything I have said has been verified by the social worker.
These parents cannot cope. They have a social and constitutional right to a level of service for their child appropriate to her needs which are definite, well defined and, I admit, difficult. I consulted the social worker at length and without doubt, given her condition, the most appropriate institution for Pauline is Cregg House, Sligo. Unfortunately, Cregg House does not have the resources or the place at present. However, they have an application with the Department of Health for additional places. I ask that in the interim a place be created for her at Cregg House and that the necessary resources be made available to provide, first, this additional place and, second, the much required additional places which have already been the subject of an application to the Minister and his Department.
I appreciate there are major calls on the funding available to the Department of Health. However, this is an emergency and the position is out of control. The furrowed faces of Pauline's parents tell the story very graphically. I again urge the Minister to take a personal interest in the matter and intervene to ensure that proper institutional care is provided immediately.