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13/08/2015
Taoiseach's Respond To Sinn Féin Request Criticised As 'Woefully Inadequate'
The Taoiseach's response to Sinn Féin for the government to "urgently establish" a public inquiry into the running of centre for citizens with intellectual disabilities has been described as "woefully inadequate".
Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, made a call for the inquiry in the Dáil in March, amid concerns about the Redwood Centre at Stamullen.
"There is a real and significant crisis in the provision of care for citizens with intellectual disabilities," he said. "The government is failing to deal with this in an appropriate and urgent manner and Enda Kenny's reply to me is evidence of this."
"Today HIQA has reported 'major non-compliance' in two more residential centres for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. Both centres are part of the St. Patrick's campus in Kilkenny.
"According to HIQA the adult centre is understaffed, poorly maintained, unclean and has an inadequate fire safety plan. HIQA reports that St Michael's centre failed to comply in respect of 11 of the 18 regulatory headings reviewed. The grave issues of concern raised in these two reports are regrettably not isolated cases.
"Last month I wrote to the Taoiseach asking that the government urgently establish an Independent Inquiry into the widespread public concerns about the care provision in homes for citizens with intellectual disabilities.
"In his letter to me the Taoiseach claims that the government 'takes the care of vulnerable people in the health service extremely seriously' but he then ignores the implications of a significant number of critical HIQA reports into care homes.
"In his response the Taoiseach also says that 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 that people with a disability are receiving... including safeguarding the human rights of residents'.
"There is an urgent need for the government to establish a fully Independent, root-and-branch inquiry into all care facilities for citizens with intellectual disabilities in the State. The Taoiseach's letter provides no reassurance that the necessary steps will be taken to deal with this recurring and deepening crisis."
(MH/JP)
Sinn Féin leader, Gerry Adams, made a call for the inquiry in the Dáil in March, amid concerns about the Redwood Centre at Stamullen.
"There is a real and significant crisis in the provision of care for citizens with intellectual disabilities," he said. "The government is failing to deal with this in an appropriate and urgent manner and Enda Kenny's reply to me is evidence of this."
"Today HIQA has reported 'major non-compliance' in two more residential centres for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. Both centres are part of the St. Patrick's campus in Kilkenny.
"According to HIQA the adult centre is understaffed, poorly maintained, unclean and has an inadequate fire safety plan. HIQA reports that St Michael's centre failed to comply in respect of 11 of the 18 regulatory headings reviewed. The grave issues of concern raised in these two reports are regrettably not isolated cases.
"Last month I wrote to the Taoiseach asking that the government urgently establish an Independent Inquiry into the widespread public concerns about the care provision in homes for citizens with intellectual disabilities.
"In his letter to me the Taoiseach claims that the government 'takes the care of vulnerable people in the health service extremely seriously' but he then ignores the implications of a significant number of critical HIQA reports into care homes.
"In his response the Taoiseach also says that 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 that people with a disability are receiving... including safeguarding the human rights of residents'.
"There is an urgent need for the government to establish a fully Independent, root-and-branch inquiry into all care facilities for citizens with intellectual disabilities in the State. The Taoiseach's letter provides no reassurance that the necessary steps will be taken to deal with this recurring and deepening crisis."
(MH/JP)
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