Inspections of accommodation for intellectually disabled adults must be set up - Corrigan

Maria Corrigan, Dublin Fianna Fáil Senator and Principal psychologist, has called for an Inspectorate to be established without delay in all residential accommodation for adults with an intellectual disability.

Senator Corrigan said, “I welcome today’s comments from the Ombudsman for Children regarding the accommodation provided for unaccompanied minors. This is an issue I have raised on a number of occasions over the past two years.

“I was pleased with Minister Brian Lenihan’s recent response that, next year, a number of the residential units that house unaccompanied minors will be closed and accommodation for unaccompanied minors will be coming under the remit of the Inspectorate.

“I raised this issue again last week in the Seanad to Minister Brian Lenihan, and I referred, in particular, to the fact that residential accommodation for children with disabilities, unaccompanied minors and adults with intellectual disabilities is exempt from inspection.  I am pleased to learn that the HSE will end the use of separately run hostels for separated children seeking asylum and accommodate children in mainstream care on a par with other children in the care system by December 2010.

“During our discussion, the Minister noted that due to the economic situation, it will take a little longer for inspections of accommodation for adults with intellectual disabilities to be organised. 

Senator Corrigan continued, “While I welcome the progress made with regard to unaccompanied minors and children with disabilities, it is vital that we ensure the same service is applied to adults with intellectual disabilities immediately. These people are vulnerable and it is our duty to fully protect them.

“I don’t think it’s acceptable that we can debate issues raised in the Ryan and Monageer reports and speak about the vulnerable people who were abused in the past when it is within our capacity now to ensure such abuse does not happen again. We must take the necessary steps. I appreciate these are difficult economic times but we do not want to look back in twenty years with regret that we did not expand the Inspectorate, ”added Senator Corrigan.

ENDS