DRUMCAR RAISED IN DAIL QUESTIONS
GERRY ADAMS SPEAKS PASSIONATELY ABOUT DISABILITY SERVICES
SINN Fein leader Gerry Adams has told the Dail that people with disabilities and their families are ‘ being treated deplorably’.
The Louth TD made the comment as he highlighted the myriad concerns the Dundalk Parents and Friends of the Intellectually Disabled group have raised with him over the last number of months, particularly in relation to the St John of God Service at St Mary’s Drumcar.
Mr Adams said: ‘I have met dozens of families with citizens with intellectual disabilities and they all tell a similar tale of the never-ending fight to access services from this State. These are services which should be theirs by right. The anger of parents in particular is palpable. They are furious at how their loved ones are being treated and they feel that nobody is listening’.
He said he had been given permission to speak about one case of a 55-year-old man who has been living happily at Drumcar for 20 years.
Mr Adams said: There are many troubling issues with the Drumcar facility and I have raised these directly with the management and the HSE and in the Dáil. However, the fact is Michael has lived happily there for over 20 years. He now faces the possibility of being moved again as part of the decongregation policy.
‘Sinn Féin supports decongregation. Evidence backs the assertion that it delivers better quality of life for people in residential accommodation. However, we have to be sensitive about it. We have to consult with those people and we have to do it at their pace. ‘ The families have real fears that if their loved ones are moved, their quality of care will reduce, they may be moved to inappropriate locations and they will be traumatised by being taken out of their familiar surroundings.
‘One size does not fit all, particularly for people with additional needs’.
Helen McEntee TD, speaking for Minister Finian McGrath, outlined the facilities available in Louth and said she agrees there needs to be consultation with families and service users.
She said: ‘A Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the need for respite services to be developed further and the Minister of State has acknowledged this. These matters will remain on the agenda of the Minister of State.
‘ To outline the specifics in County Louth, funding for this year for children’s respite from six to 18 years amounts to €438,000. For adult intellectual respite, there is €531,000. For adult physical and sensory respite, there is €440,000. Of the €31 million allocated for the adult intellectual disability and children’s respite in St. John of God, a portion of that is going to Louth. We this is not enough. A case has to be put forward and, within the constraints of the budget, every effort will be made to provide support and respite for those who need it most’.