Residential care for Graham Meehan
Deputy Cronin raised her constituent Graham Meehan’s need for properly funded supported residential care and said his family feared retaliation for speaking out. The Minister asked for the details, said he would look into the case and raise it with the Minister of State, while urging the Deputy to send him the information.
My constituent, Graham Meehan, is being denied his right to live an independent but supported life because of the Government's refusal to properly fund residential care for those living in the community. Graham is 32 and an adored son of Maura and her husband. He has cerebral palsy and associated disabilities and autism. He is not alone in north Kildare, but he is alone in being named here today because the other parent to whom I spoke yesterday is too afraid of losing services as a retribution for speaking out. How sad is that? It tells its own story about the denial of rights in this country. Graham is receiving a week's respite in the coming months, the first since Covid. The reason for the delay is because another family had left their child in respite as they could not cope any longer. Maura told me this morning that she does not judge that family, but she wants Graham's transition to be organised and dignified. Graham is entitled to his rights, the same as any of us, because he is a citizen of this Republic, albeit an incomplete one. The Government says it does not want people with disabilities living in congregated settings, but it refuses to fund them to live independent lives in the community.
Comment on this
I thank Deputy Cronin for raising this issue on behalf of two of her constituents. If she sends the details through to me, we will certainly look at it. We are committed to providing accommodation for people, be it assisted living or independent living. That has increased in recent years. I do not know the specifics of the case, as Deputy Cronin just raised it here with me.
Comment on this
I have already raised it with the Minister.
Comment on this
I am offering to do that now for the Deputy. In fairness, the family has given Deputy Cronin permission to raise the case here. If she gets me the details, I will raise it with the Minister of State directly and ask him to respond to Deputy Cronin.
Comment on this
Will the Minister of State get support from the Tánaiste this time? She never did before. Any time she gives out about the HSE, she gets no support from her leader.
Comment on this
Deputy Cronin should send me the details.