Ashfield Lodge housing funding
Deputy Brassil asked when the Minister of State would visit Ashfield Lodge in Listowel to progress permanent housing for four severely disabled adults. Despite some disagreement over whether it was the same matter, the Minister of State said he would visit Kerry and consider the facilities raised.
Four severely disabled adults attend Ashfield Lodge in Listowel daily. An application has gone in to provide funding to house these four individuals on a permanent basis. I understand the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, is to visit this particular house in Listowel shortly with a view to progressing this. When will the Minister of State be able to visit with a view to progressing this part particular issue?
Comment on this
Surely the Deputy is not objecting to me speaking.
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I cannot think in advance. I call Deputy Michael Healy-Rae. I am not being facetious but I presume the Deputy's brother has made a good case.
Comment on this
It is on the same issue. The decongregation of settings and taking apart of centres of excellence since 2011 has resulted in cases like the one that my brother highlighted. It has had a detrimental effect on those who benefitted from being in congregated settings. We have constantly highlighted this matter with the Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath. While I welcome the fact that he will visit Kerry, these are serious issues and they are having a detrimental effect on the most important person of all, that is, the person who needs care.
Comment on this
I thank the Deputies for raising this matter. The Minister of State will visit Kerry shortly and will have an opportunity to visit those facilities and engage on the issues. I take seriously the point that Deputy Danny Healy-Rae raised about the well-being of an individual in a facility. If he wishes to pass on the details to me, I will look into them.