I wish to highlight the absolute failure of this Government to manage the care of citizens with intellectual disabilities. They are vulnerable citizens. It is totally inappropriate and unjustifiable that these citizens have been left in this manner. They are citizens who have rights, like all of us.

The Tánaiste will remember the scandal last year surrounding the investigation into Áras Attracta. Unfortunately, that scandal was quickly followed by too many more scandals. For example, a HIQA report into St. Patrick's Centre campus in Kilkenny found that it was understaffed, poorly maintained, unclean and lacked an adequate fire safety plan. That is a basic necessity in any care centre, but it was not in place. In recent years a number of HIQA reports have highlighted major non-compliance in residential centres for adults and children with intellectual disabilities. The centres have failed on multiple grounds in respect of non-compliance of regulations. Last April, the HIQA chief executive Phelim Quinn told a conference hosted by Inclusion Ireland that the standard of care in some residential centres was disturbing and appalling. Last summer HIQA gave notice to 20 disability services that their registrations would be refused or cancelled if they did not make necessary improvements within 28 days.

The HSE revealed in June last year that more than 20 staff were being investigated for abusing residents with severe intellectual disabilities throughout the State - and this is a small state. This year the problem has continued. For example, the centre at St. Mary's in Drumcar run by St. John of God's was closed because inspectors from HIQA found significant and ongoing levels of non-compliance and were not assured that the services being provided were safe. In recent weeks we have seen the additional scandal of St. John of God's withdrawing funding from St. Augustine's in Dublin while 14 of its senior managers received secret top-ups to the tune of €2 million. That is disgraceful and cannot continue.

There is a crisis in the provision of care for citizens with intellectual disabilities. While many care homes provide excellent services, many others do not and they need to be dealt with. Does the Tánaiste accept that the failure of Government to fully register residential services, provide for proper and regular inspections and monitor these care homes is a disgrace and requires urgent attention?

Will the Government agree to establish as a matter of urgency a fully independent root and branch inquiry into all care facilities for citizens with intellectual disabilities?

The Government appointed a Minister of State with particular responsibility for people with disabilities, which was the right thing to do. We are all aware of the poor standards that historically have prevailed in many residential institutions. I welcome the work HIQA is doing which the Government wants to support. Many of these facilities remained hidden and there was bad management behind closed doors. We are now seeing independence being brought to bear in examining the standards in residential homes through the work of HIQA. I welcome its work in ensuring various residential services reach the proper standards. I agree with the Deputy that it is extremely disappointing that we continue to hear about poor standards in residential services; it is not good enough. That is why we support HIQA's work and have dedicated €300 million to ensuring residential disability services reach the proper standards and will be fully compliant. The Minister of State with responsibility for people with disabilities is absolutely committed to ensuring residential facilities reach the appropriate standards. He is dedicated to doing this, while the Government is dedicated to providing the funding required both for HIQA and the various service providers to ensure it will happen. Those running services have a responsibility to ensure their staff and facilities reach HIQA standards. If not, they will be exposed and action taken. Recently, the HSE took over responsibility for a number of facilities.

On St. Augustine's, the Minister of State met the families. The Minister, Deputy Simon Harris, was also involved. As the Deputy knows, a decision has been made in that regard.

The money use to make top-up payments should be returned. The Ministers for Public Expenditure and Reform and Health are actively involved in analysing the matter, including the pay guidelines which should have been met. They will ensure action is taken in order that, if money is due to the State, it will be recouped.

We are talking about the regulation and registration of a care centre. These are very basic requirements. The plan was to have 1,000 centres registered by HIQA by October this year, but that will not happen. I would not sing HIQA's praises by any means, but the Government needs to take responsibility for this matter. Registration is a basic requirement, but it has not happened. The health (amendment) Bill will be brought to the Government, but we are just kicking the can down the road in terms of registration in allowing a further two years to complete the process. This is a very small country and we are only talking about 1,000 of these centres; it should not, therefore, be a major task. People cannot afford to wait for another two years for these issues to be addressed. It is further evidence that the Government is failing to properly manage the care of vulnerable citizens with an intellectual disability. I repeat my question. Will the Government establish as a matter of urgency a fully independent root and branch inquiry into all care facilities for citizens with intellectual disabilities?

It is important to ensure the various residential institutions reach the standards laid out. They have not been granted an extension of time by HIQA to reach them. What is most important is that they be independently inspected, that the work being done is independently examined by HIQA. That is where our focus should be to ensure the services being provided and the care being given are of the very best standard. The staff who are working in the services need to be able to do their job in appropriate facilities and provide the care we would expect to be provided for adults - it is primarily adults who are involved - in need of residential care.

That is the Government's intention. That is the direction those services are moving in. I agree with the Deputy it is critical that they move as quickly as possible. As I have said, we know the standards have traditionally not been good enough. Now that this is out in the open, HIQA is inspecting and the money is available to ensure there is compliance. The services have been given the necessary amount of time, but not an undue amount of time, to reach the outlined standards they should meet.