COMMENT: Ryan seeks opening of new intellectual disability unit
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CONCERN for the 165 service users in the St Joseph's intellectual disability unit, Portrane, and their very concerned family and friends was raised in the Upper House by Dublin North Senator Brendan Ryan.
For a great many years, a campaign had been fought by the residents of St Joseph's and their families and friends, supported by sections of the media and by his brother, former Deputy Sean Ryan, which led to some progress and the construction of the new state of the art facility, known as Knockamann. However, he said last year concerned local residents of Portrane alerted him to the fact that the new building seemed to be lying idle and was in danger of vandalism, which would be a great shame. He raised the matter with the Minister for Health and Children and secured a response in July 2009. The reply confirmed that the construction of the new 60-bed residential development was completed and was handed over to the HSE on July 9th, 2009. The reply went on to report that the equipping programme was under way and would be complete by mid or late September 2009.
'I expressed my fears at the time that the opening of this state-of-the art facility would be delayed due to the Government's moratorium on recruitment in the public service and I called on the minister to make whatever decisions necessary to ensure the facility did not remain unoccupied and that the residents could be transferred without further delay,' he said.
Replying on behalf of the minister for health and children, Minister of State Tony Killeen confirmed that the construction and equipping of a new 60-bed residential development, including the provision of day services for clients of St Joseph's intellectual disability services, were complete and the development was handed over to the HSE in July 2009.
'In order to implement savings measures on public service numbers the Government decided, with effect from 27 March 2009 to the end of 2010, that no post in the public sector, however it arises, may be filled by recruitment, promotion or payment of an allowance for the performance of duties at a higher grade,' he said.
'The decision applies to all grades of permanent and temporary staff, including nursing, notwithstanding a number of specific exemptions. It has been modulated to ensure key services are maintained in so far as is possible in the health service, particularly in respect of children at risk, older people and persons with a disability.'
A business case was submitted to the Department of Health and Children in November 2009 by the HSE on the opening of the Knockamann development, he said.
As nursing staff were not a derogated grade under the current moratorium on recruitment in public services, specific sanction was required to fill the posts. Having considered the business case, the department requested some supplementary information, particularly on the skills mix of posts required. It was anticipated that this will be forwarded to the department shortly.
'The department is working closely with the HSE to endeavour to resolve this matter within the resources available to us at this time,' he said.
- TIM RYAN
