Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 July 2015
4. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the action he will take on foot of recent Health Information and Quality Authority inspection reports of residential centres for persons with intellectual disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27792/15]
View answerWe have seen a number of damning HIQA reports that were recently published which highlighted the Government's serious failure with respect to disability services. I refer to reports on the St. John of God service in Drumcar and Cregg House in Sligo. Is the Minister concerned about the reports? Is it not evidence of the lack of political will at Cabinet with respect to providing the best quality of services for people with disability in this country?
The Government is very committed to the protection and safety of our most vulnerable citizens and placed regulation and inspection of residential disability centres on a statutory footing in November 2013. Every person who uses disability services is entitled to expect and receive care of the highest standard and to live in dignity and safety. People with a disability should be able to maximise their potential and live rich and fulfilling lives.
Compliance with HIQA standards for disability residential centres is a requirement under the service level arrangements between the HSE and voluntary service providers. A total of 66% of designated centres for people with a disability were inspected by HIQA by the end of quarter 1 in 2015, including inspections triggered by complaints or allegations of mistreatment. The lessons learned from them are continuing to improve the quality of services. Clients and their families can be assured that this regulatory regime is being rolled out across all residential facilities for people with a disability.
HIQA has reported evidence of very good practice in the delivery of many residential services to people with disabilities where the support and care needs of residents have been prioritised and there is a strong focus on the needs of service users. While HIQA’s findings, in some cases may make for difficult reading, they serve as evidence that the regulatory process works effectively and in the interests of protecting vulnerable people in the care of the State. In that respect, for example, it is noted that HIQA’s most recent report on Áras Attracta has found significant improvements in the lives of many residents.
The Department of Health has requested the HSE to develop action plans to address cases where HIQA has raised serious concerns regarding the level of care people with a disability are receiving in a number of disability centres, including safeguarding the human rights of residents.
The HSE is implementing a comprehensive change programme of measures to improve the quality and safety of residential services for people with disabilities. Much work remains to be carried out on an ongoing basis to ensure all facilities comply with disability residential standards. While this programme will be challenging for the HSE, it is crucial in safeguarding vulnerable people in the care of the State.
I fail to see how the Minister is committed to the disability sector. The parliamentary question was not about the regulatory standards, it was about providing resources for people with disability. Is the Minister not appalled at the Cregg House report, which found that the chronic staffing levels due to cuts to staff resources had "a direct impact on the quality of life for residents"?
In the week the Government granted significant increases in the pensions of retired politicians, does the Minister not find it appalling that he could say in the House today that he is committed to the disability sector when it has been affected by massive cuts, which have resulted in the slippage of standards? The damning reports demonstrate the failure of the Government and highlight the lack of political will to protect vulnerable people. As we approach the next budget, does the Minister intend to reverse the cuts?
Of course I am appalled at the negative reports that were published about some disability centres. Often, there are a number of issues as to why care is substandard. Resources are often only part of the picture. Deputy Keaveney will be aware that Áras Attracta was very well staffed but, none the less, there were major failings in care.
First, more than 500 reports on residential centres were published in 2014. We probably only heard about six or seven of those, or perhaps ten, because they were the bad ones but let us not forget about the 490 or so that are very good, and the very good people who provide an excellent standard of care in residential centres. We should point out as well that before November 2013, there were no inspections. The sector was totally unregulated. I do not believe for a second that the problems did not exist during the 14 years in which Deputy Keaveney's party was in office but it did not regulate the sector. It was left unregulated and people were totally vulnerable and unprotected. He did not give a damn about them whatsoever. It is only since November 2013 that the sector is now regulated and properly inspected. Things are changing now, whereas for 14 years under a Government of which the Deputy's party was involved, which had massive funding available to it, the Government did not even want to look inside those centres to know what was going on.
The Minister's unedifying response is a distraction from his commitment to provide for the most vulnerable people. If he was less focused on providing for the pensions of retired politicians and more enthusiastic about providing resources for people with disability, I would not be asking this question today. Will the Minister reverse the cuts he strategically planned against people with disabilities? The Government's tax profile was allegedly ahead by €800 million. Is it on the back of cuts to disability services that the Minister approached the budget and tax profile?
As is always the case, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, and I will do our very best to make as strong a case as we can for all health and social care services, not just disability but also for mental health, acute hospitals and primary care. Funding is limited but the Deputy can rest assured that we will make as strong a case as we can to the Government to provide the additional resources we need in the years to come.
