‘Government attitude at heart of respite crisis’

IN the wake of the cancellation of respite services for children in St Mary’s, Drumcar, Gerry Adams has said that the attitude of the Government towards people with disabilities, and those who care for them, is at the heart of this respite crisis.

And Fergus O’Dowd has pointed out families believe that the issues surrounding the cancellation of respite services are going to continue.

‘ There are over 5,000 people in County Louth who have intellectual disabilities,’ said Deputy Adams.

‘In 2007 Ireland signed the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities, but 9 years later it is yet to be ratified.

‘I am calling on the Government once again to immediately take steps to ensure compliance with the convention, ratify it, and afford those with disabilities the respect they and their families deserve.’

The Sinn Fein representative described as totally unacceptable the news that children due to commences respite in Drumcar on Monday have had the service cancelled.

‘I can only imagine the frustration and annoyance which the families of the nine children affected will be experiencing at the moment as their plans for the week fall asunder.

‘It is incumbent on St John of God and the HSE to provide accurate information both to me and to the parents of Drumcar service users and it is the function of the Government to live up to their own Programme for Government commitments and ensure that respite services are delivered in County Louth.’

Fine Gael TD Fergus O’Dowd believes a long-term plan to address future respite shortcomings must be put in place and agreed by all the stakeholders involved, which he believes should also include the families of service users.

‘ The restoring of respite in Drumcar is very much welcomed but I am going to remain vigilant over the level of service families are receiving.’

O’Dowd has been in contact with several families who use the respite services and these families remain concerned about the respite services in Drumcar.

‘Many families believe that the issues surrounding the cancellation of respite services are going to continue.

‘ The issue of cancelled respite services in St. John of God, Drumcar has been ongoing since the beginning of the summer.

‘Families who rely on the respite services contacted their local TDs for answers surrounding the sudden cancellation of services, many times less the 24 hours before a scheduled appointment.

O’Dowd has welcomed the restored respite services, but has concerns on whether or not this may be a band aid on a much bigger issue.

‘Respite needs are going to continue to increase, and there cannot be another situation which left families without services they are entitled to.’