As the Deputy is aware the Irish Human Rights Commission Enquiry Report into the provision of intellectual disability services by the Brothers of Charity Services to adults in the John Paul Centre, Galway was published in March 2010. The Report makes a number of recommendations which are directed at the Department of Health, the Department of Education and Skills, the Health Service Executive and the Brothers of Charity Services, Galway. It is a matter for each organisation to consider the recommendations, as appropriate.
From a Department of Health perspective, the Report raises important questions regarding the current arrangements for funding, accountability and standards in our disability services. It is acknowledged that, despite considerable advances in the standard of service provision in recent years, more needs to be done to improve services. A number of important current initiatives will further advance the ability of the health services to more fully focus on meeting the needs of people with disabilities. My Department's ongoing Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services is considering how well the current substantial allocation of funding for disability services is being used, and is exploring the way forward for reconfiguration of these services, and their management and operation, so as to enable them to respond more effectively to individual needs. It is expected that the Review will be completed in the first half of 2012.
With regard to standards for residential services, HIQA has prepared and published standards for the sector, which outline what is expected of a provider of services and what a person with a disability, his or her family, and the public can expect to receive from such services. They clearly set out what a quality safe residential service for people with disabilities should be and support the delivery of person-centred care in this sector.
The Government is committed to ensuring that vulnerable people with disabilities in residential services are safeguarded and protected, and that their quality of life is enhanced. With this in mind, the current Programme for Government commits to mandatory standards for this sector and inspections of services by HIQA.
As I announced on 16th June last, discussions have begun between the Department of Health and HIQA to progress this commitment. Given the complex nature of residential service provision for people with disabilities, ranging from congregated settings to dispersed housing in the community, careful consideration is being given to designing the most appropriate regulatory model and this work is ongoing. A target date of Quarter 1 2013 has been provisionally set for the commencement of the proposed regulatory scheme.
In regard to the wider health sector, the HSE recently published the following reports: (1) ‘New Directions- Personal Support Services for Adults with Disabilities'; (2) ‘National Review of Autism Services' Provision within HSE'; and (3) ‘Respite/Residential Care with Host Families in Community Settings'. A Review of the case for moving people from residential institutions (Time to Move on from Congregated Settings — A Strategy for Community Inclusion) was published in July 2011, which the HSE is committed to implementing in a phased basis over the next 7 years.
Over the past few years disability service provision has begun to move towards a community-based and inclusive model and away from services delivered in institutional and segregated settings. The implementation of these reports by the HSE, alongside the Department's pending Value for Money and Policy Review and the introduction of standards for residential settings, will provide a catalyst for achieving more effective, person-centred disability service provision, in line with international best practice. All of these initiatives are informed by the principles of ‘mainstreaming', community inclusion and individual choice and have the potential to change the nature of disability service delivery and supports in the coming years.