Donal Carey
Ceist:60 Mr. Carey asked the Minister for health if he has satisfied himself with the use of time out rooms in respect of persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - “Time Out” Rooms Usage.
Ivan Yates
Ceist:90 Mr. Yates asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the use of time out rooms in respect of persons with a disabililty; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Michael Creed
Ceist:94 Mr. Creed asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the use of time out rooms in respect of persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 60, 90 and 94 together.
The term "time out" describes a practice of leaving persons on their own in a separate room. The purpose of "time out" is to remove an individual from a situation in which they might injure either themselves or others and to allow them to regain their composure. It is usually prescribed for brief periods only and the person involved is under supervision at all times, e.g. by video or through visual and/or oral communication.
The practice is usually only used when other methods of intervention have failed; for example the offer of food or a drink, supervised activity elsewhere such as going for a walk, etc.
"Time out" should be employed only when acceptable guidelines are in place and should be part of a structured and professionally supervised programme of care.
In the case of persons with a mental illness such guidelines are laid down in regulations under the Mental Treatment Act, 1945. There are no general guidelines concerning the use of "time out" in the mental handicap services. However, the evidence available suggests that "time out" is only rarely used in these services.