Health Committee to Find out if Residential Services for Young People with Disabilities have Improved Since Publication of Damning Abuse Reports
Whether standards in residential homes for young people with disabilities have progressed since the publication of two highly critical reports on the sector will be examined at todays (29th June 10) meeting of the Oireachtas Health Committee.
The Committee will hear from the HSE and the Department of Health regarding progress and developments on recommendations contained in the Hynes Report and the investigation by Dr Kevin McCoy.
The meeting will take place at 3pm in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House.
Dr McCoy’s investigation reported serious sexual and physical abuse against residents at two County Galway facilities (the Holy Family School, Galway City and the Brothers of Charity, Clarinbridge) for children with intellectual disabilities between 1965 and 1998. The report found that eighteen men, including eleven Brothers of Charity were investigated in connection with allegations of sexual abuse of 21 intellectually disabled children.
Dr McCoy recommended a fundamental review of arrangements in these facilities.
The Committee will also examine what, if any improvements have been made since the publication of the Hynes report which examined why it took so long for an inquiry into these events to be concluded. The initial investigation into abuse allegations in the Galway facilities commenced in 1999 but did not conclude until late 2007.
Committee Chairman, Sean O’Fearghail TD said
“It’s all very well compiling reports with findings and advice but what really matters is whether the recommendations are properly implemented and that the effective changes are made.
Both these reports were clear and unambiguous in their findings so the meeting tomorrow will enable the Committee to establish if the necessary changes have been made to these services.”
This Committee can be viewed on-line at: http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?fn=/documents/livewebcast/Web-Live.htm&CatID=83&m=o
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