Policy makers should listen to the parents of people with intellectual, physical and mental disabilities ahead of making decisions which will adversely affect their children’s lives.
That’s the view of Kerry TD, Michael Healy-Rae, who expressed concern that HSE’s Transforming Lives policy which will see clients moved away from St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort into independent housing units across the county.
Deputy Healy-Rae said it would lead to the breaking up of a centre of excellence when it comes to their care needs.
“Children in the past have been able to benefit from the excellent service of St Mary of the Angels in Beaufort and I am pleading with the minister to go back to the decision made in 2011 with regard to the breaking up of congregated settings and realise one shoe does not fit all sizes,” he said.
The Kerry politician said there are parents who believe that their children would be best served and have the best outcome in life by being able to stay in a place such as St Mary of the Angels.
“It has always provided a safe, happy and fulfilling home for children with different challenges.
“The current policy of taking perhaps one or two people and putting them into a house, then trying to have the house staffed, the inadequate services that that house might have in comparison to a place like St Mary the Angels again does not make sense,” Deputy Healy-Rae said
Earlier this year the St Mary of the Angels Parents and Relatives’ Association hailed what they called was the best ever Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) report result for the Beaufort facility.
However, the HSE has now confirmed that, with the support of Government, it is implementing the reform programme which is about moving away from institutional models of care and service delivery to community-based, person-centered models of service.
Boost business: Book your Christmas advertising now: 087-2229761 or news@killarneytoday.com
