The disability minister has pledged support for Kerry’s largest residential centre for people with additional needs - St Mary of the Angels.
Minister of State Anne Rabbitte along with Education Minister Norma Foley visited the centre today.
For several years, the families of service users have been concerned for the facility’s future.
Last August, Deputy Michael Healy-Rae accused the HSE of trying to slowly close the centre; he said when an occupant died, no new resident would be moved in.
He cautioned against a one-shoe fits all approach when it comes to shaping policy for adults with additional needs.
He said the policy to move people from campus-based institutional settings to community-based homes wouldn’t be appropriate for everyone.
Deputy Healy-Rae said while some people with intellectual challenges may be suited to living in a private house with supports; the best environment for others would be a facility such as St Mary of the Angels.
Minister of State at the Departments of Health and Children Anne Rabbitte, who’s responsible for disability, along with Education Minister Norma Foley, met residents, staff and families at St Mary of the Angels today.
Minister Rabbitte said she’s keen to see the facility sustained into the future.
She’s committed to further engagement between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the HSE and St Mary of the Angels, which is run by St John of God Services, about the shape of the service in the years ahead, including the provision of residential services, respite, elderly care, and education.
Minister Rabbitte committed to fund the assistance needed to make these plans and provide a design team to work with St Mary of the Angels, which will hopefully provide the reassurance to families and service users about its future.
