Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
594. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what consultation has there been with those affected by the Brandon Report into sexual abuse at Ard Greine Court in Stranorlar, County Donegal; what measures could be taken to alleviate concerns of those who so far not been contacted but have loved ones living in the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34266/23]
View answerTime to Move on from Congregated Settings – A strategy for Community Inclusion is a model of support where people with disabilities are supported to move from large institutions (congregated settings) to their own homes in the community with the supports they need. It is about supporting people to ‘live ordinary lives in ordinary places’.
Ard Greine Court is a campus based setting and hence it is part of the decongregation programme. The decongregation of Ard Greine Court is in the early stages of being progressed and this involves information and engagement with residents and their families with residents’ consent. There are currently 25 residents living in Ard Greine Court. Their families were invited to information sessions regarding decongregation planning for Ard Greine Court, Initial sessions were held in the morning and afternoon of April 18th 2023 and some residents had family members in attendance. A further information session was held on June 7th 2023 and more residents had family members in attendance.
A small number of residents’ families have contacted the service to advise they are not in a position to attend information sessions and they are being met with in their homes. 17 residents’ families have attended information and engagement sessions.
Following the information and engagement sessions, it was agreed to establish an Ard Greine Court Family Forum to continue the process of information sharing and engagement regarding decongregation. The first meeting of the Family Forum is scheduled for August 17th 2023.
Residents are being supported with the decongregation planning process by the multi-disciplinary team – Nursing, Health Care Assistants, Psychology, Social Work, Speech & Language Therapy, and Occupational Therapy. Each resident is being supported with information relating to decongregation as appropriate to his/her needs, will and preference in order to support them with plans and decisions. For different residents this process is at different stages due to the individualised approach being taken.
