Assurances needed to avoid any return to institutional care for disabled - Corrigan

Senator Maria Corrigan has welcomed the commitment of the Minister for Disability and Mental Health John Moloney T.D. to meet providers of services to those intellectual disabilities.

“I’m very pleased the Minister has agreed to meet with the groups concerned in the coming days.  There are many groups now who have said that they are scaling back services as a direct result of cuts in HSE funding,” said Senator Corrigan.

“I am truly horrified by a suggestion made just last night that people with disabilities living in community accommodation will be moved back into institutional care.  This is totally unacceptable and must not be allowed to happen under any circumstances whatsoever.  This is completely in contravention with Government policy.”

“The people living with disabilities in the community, in many cases, are given little say or control over their own lives.  They struggle to make sense of daily happenings.  The loss of their home as proposed will be profound and turn their world upside down.  I cannot understand why anyone would suggest that moving them to institutional care could in anyway be acceptable.  It is totally disrespectful,” added Senator Corrigan.

“I’m glad the Minister will meet this week with groups providing care to those with disabilities.  However I am also asking the Minister to meet with the HSE as a matter of urgency.  The disability sector cannot be expected to bear the significant brunt of these cuts.  This area has always been identified as one that has been under-funded.  We cannot row back on the progress that has been made; too much good work has been done and cannot be allowed to be undone.”

“Families depend hugely on respite care, particularly during the summer months.  This is often a time when families make arrangements to bring siblings on holidays and simply take a rest from the challenges they face daily.  We must do more to protect frontline services in this vital sector and I look forward to speaking with the Minister following the meetings,” concluded Senator Corrigan.