I have received representations from families of clients of the Redwood care facility in County Meath. One such client, Eamonn Kennedy, was admitted to Redwood in January 2010. I have his family's permission to raise this case with the Taoiseach. Following several falls in Redwood, Eamonn was hospitalised with a head injury and lacerations. He was hospitalised a second time with further lacerations and bruising to his upper body, arms, abdomen and legs. In 2012, a consultant in emergency medicine noted that several aspects of the bruising were suspicious of non-accidental injury and that there appeared to be no medical explanation for that bruising.

Another citizen, who, prior to moving to Redwood in 2013, was living independently with HSE support, within two days of moving to the facility was given anti-psychotic medication and taken off his gluten and dairy-free diet despite family objections. He suffered nine convulsions and was admitted to hospital a few days later. He subsequently returned to Redwood and remained there for three months on anti-psychotic medication against his family's wishes. He is no longer living at Redwood.

The Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, has said that there is a significant denial of the civil, legal and human rights of citizens at Redwood and that residents there have also been subject to severe deprivations of liberty and freedom of movement, including a locked door policy. It should be remembered that citizens at this facility are there on a voluntary basis and that their care at this private practice is being paid for. Given these disturbing reports and others which have come to light about other care centres, is it not the case this State is failing in its responsibilities towards citizens with intellectual disabilities who are residents of these facilities?

I would have appreciated if Deputy Adams had given me some prior notice of a specific case he wished to raise in respect of a nursing home, in this case Redwood. I have said on many previous occasions that the fragile, elderly and vulnerable deserve to have nothing but the best level of care and consideration given to them irrespective of where they are. I am aware that there are regulatory process issues at Redwood and I understand that HIQA is in discussion with it about these matters. When the example of Áras Attracta was brought to the notice of the House, I said that was not an example of care, but an example of control over fragile, vulnerable and in some cases voiceless people.

The HSE is taking a series of actions. The next national meeting of all the care providers takes place on 9 April and I understand that will be the second meeting in as many months. Clearly between this and then, the issue at point between HIQA and the managers in Redwood is one that will obviously be followed through.

As the Deputy is aware, there are also the whistleblowing procedures put in place by the HSE and a confidential recipient in respect of complaints in this matter, Leigh Gath, has been appointed. I am not sure whether the complaint in respect of this particular nursing facility was brought to the attention of the confidential recipient. It is a serious matter and I hope it can be brought to a conclusion where the truth of the matter can be held and that patients not just there, but everywhere else, receive the highest level of care and consideration from those who have responsibility for them in these circumstances.

The issue here goes beyond the two cases I have raised with the Taoiseach. I also raised these in writing with the former Minister for Health, Deputy Reilly. I also sent him photographs that Eamonn Kennedy's sister, Maeve, took of his injuries at that time. The Garda has also investigated the matter.

At the core of this is the concern among people about outsourcing care for citizens with a disability to the private sector. The care of our most vulnerable citizens is not compatible with the profit motive. Redwood is part of the privately-owned Talbot group that is contracted to the HSE to provide services. In December, HIQA reported that in this facility there were recurrent and lengthy durations of physical intervention; there was an incident in which a patient struggled to breathe and turned blue during physical constraint; and medication was administered by injection during episodes of challenging behaviour. HIQA further recommended that no new admissions be allowed until these issues were addressed. As the Taoiseach has said, we will see all of that working its way out in the upcoming period.

I thank the Deputy.

Tá mé críochnaithe anois. I believe the Taoiseach when I hear him saying that citizens should have the very best care possible, but that is not happening. Where it is not happening, how are we to know about it? Will it be a drip feed? Is it not now time to have a fully independent root-and-branch inquiry into all care facilities for citizens with disabilities, particularly intellectual disabilities, in the State?

The people in the Redwood residential centre are residents as opposed to patients and they deserve the very best level of care and attention. I empathise with the Deputy's comments in respect of the persons whose cases he has mentioned here and is entitled to raise with their permission. How will we know about these things? Clearly, there have been incidents in the past, the last of which was the Áras Attracta case, which brought about a real focus on how exactly people should become aware of lack of care, attention and consideration. That is why the confidential recipient was appointed and that is why HIQA in its independence - it is completely independent in how it carries out its responsibilities and in its authority - is entitled to examine this centre or any other centre and bring its findings to the attention of the HSE, but also to the attention of the proprietors and managers of any facility where this applies.

I do not have the detail of the HIQA analysis to the extent that the Deputy has before him. However, all in the House would share the view that elderly, vulnerable, fragile and voiceless people deserve nothing but the best level of care and attention. That is why we have a confidential recipient. That is why we have a completely independent authority that is able to analyse these things. Where there are criminal activities, they are a matter for the Garda to investigate, as it has done and is doing in a number of cases. In terms of care, consideration, treatment and comfort for elderly people who are residents in locations such as this or patients in nursing homes, we must be seen to be able to uphold the very highest standards. Where that does not apply, the law must apply and appropriate action must be taken.