THE MINISTER OF State with responsibility for disability Finian McGrath has requested a meeting with the HSE after revelations over the care of adults with intellectual disabilities.
An RTÉ Investigates programme aired last night outlined some cases in a leaked HSE report on the sector.
The report was written by a senior social worker who examined 1,080 files spanning a 30-year period.
In one case, a client hadn’t been visited by the health board or the HSE for 17 years after being placed with a service. The report stated that the client’s files contained “very little information” despite the placement costing €88,000 a year.
Another case referred to a man with Down syndrome who spent his whole life in residential care but had not been visited by any HSE staff for a decade and a half.
When the report’s author and a colleague visited him, they were “the first official people” to have done so in 16 years.
Appalled
In a statement released late last night, McGrath said he was “appalled” by the reports.
I was appalled at what I saw on Prime Time tonight. I am very concerned at the issues which have given rise to the reports completed or in train.
He said that the government had commissioned a review of allegations which will be ready by the end of the month.
“In the meantime I have requested an urgent meeting with the HSE to discuss what was reported last night.
“Once I have received [the] report, I intend expediting the establishment of the Commission of Investigation.”
Sinn Féin’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said the revelations were “deeply disturbing”.
PAC
Meanwhile, the HSE is to appear before the Public Accounts Committee today to answer questions over the suicide charity Console.
Yesterday, it was announced that Pieta House will take over the services of the scandal-hit charity.
A liquidator has been appointed to the charity, which has been at the centre of controversy over its spending since another RTÉ Investigates programme.
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