Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 16 October 2013
164. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when the recommendations of the congregated settings report, to remove people from congregated, segregated institutions, will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43807/13]
View answerThe Report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion” proposes a new model of support in the community moving people from Congregated settings to the community in line with Government policy. The Report identifies that around 4000 people (based on 2008 census) with disabilities in Ireland live in congregated settings, defined as a residential setting where people live with ten or more people. It found that notwithstanding the commitment and initiative of dedicated staff and management, that there were a significant number of people still experiencing institutional living conditions where they lacked basic privacy and dignity, and lived their lives apart from any community and families.
The HSE has established a National Implementation Group on Congregated Settings under the auspices of the National Consultative Forum, which is comprised of representatives from the HSE, Disability Umbrella Groups and service user representative organisations. This group is currently developing the implementation plan that will be rolled out at a regional and local level, in full consultation with the appropriate stakeholders.
In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service issues they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
