Disabled person’s house plan for hospitals
THERE are plans to build houses for people with disabilities on the grounds of hospitals within the county.
Senior Housing Officer Padraig O’Gorman said a sub committee comprising council housing officials and HSE officials has been established.
‘It’s a very complex area. Supplying the houses is only one part,’ he said. ‘It needs to be matched with HSE services on the ground. We hope to get a programme together and to have some proposals in place by the end of the year. It’s not straightforward.’
Director of Services John Carley said it is a requirement of local authorities to have a 20 per cent allocation of houses for people with disabilities.
‘In 2016 we were the highest in the country for housing persons with disabilities. It was reduced to 22 per last year but we are still above the figure outlined in the policy.’
Mr O’Gorman said the plan was approved by a disability working group.
Cllr Michael Whelan welcomed the figures, but questioned why there is a house fully adapted for someone with a disability in the county which has been kept vacant for a year.
Mr O’Gorman said: ‘We are trying to get our houses back into use as quickly as possible.’
He said some houses are slightly dilapidated and require refurbishment works, while in other cases a tenant isn’t suitable for a particular house.
Cllr Michael Sheehan asked if the council is looking for additional grants for sensory rooms in houses or for funding for new buildings.
Director of Services for Housing John Carley said: ‘It’s across a range of options. We will be taking a multi-pronged approach. I don’t look at it in terms of disability, I look at the ability and if a sensory room is needed that if what will be provided, where possible.’
Cllr Davy Hynes said he is involved with Wexford Disability services.
Calling for a 32 bed mental health facility in the county, Cllr Robbie Ireton said: ‘This is something we have all been asking for over a long time. For how long more is this going to drag on? Ths county is badly in need of it and yet we do nothing about it. Nothing is happening and the people are suffering.’
He suggested locating the service within the grounds of Wexford General Hospital. ‘A big need is out there at the moment and yet nobody is ready to step up to the mark for them. They need that back up service to attain that level of independent living.’
Cllr Ireton said in some cases parents who once looked after their child with a disability or mental health issue are now too old. ‘They need these units now. Clauid is a great example of how things should be done.’
Mr Carley said the local authority has consulted a wide range of groups.
Cllr Ireton said: ‘It’s not happening for people who need that sort of accommodation now, not in a years’ time. They are on the housing list. They are there and they are real people. They need people like us to represent them because they have no voice.’
Cllr Keith Doyle agreed with Cllr Ireton, calling for some small units to be opened in St John’s Hospital.