Mayo appeal to address 'crazy' social care loophole

A MAYO Oireachtas member has stated there have been issues in Mayo in regard to individuals living alone in what were known as individualised services.

Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh stated: "We absolutely need a comprehensive social care policy.

"A loophole in the legislation was potentially used to avoid HIQA having oversight of care centres for years. I have been calling for a number of years for legislation to be reformed to close that loophole.

"It is a crazy situation where we have the organisations saying that they can designate this or that, but it has to come completely off the table. There must be somebody in charge here.

"There must be accountability and governance. Every time we ask about people with disabilities or vulnerable people, we are told millions and billions are being spent.

"We need oversight, governance and accountability and we need it now.

"I would also like to know how many claims that have been paid were because of substandard care in centres that were left outside the remit of HIQA.

"I hope this is only the beginning of a process whereby we give powers to HIQA. We need a lot more.

"Of course we need the resources to go with it to maintain standards in order that people in communities and those across County Mayo can have absolute confidence that the most vulnerable people in our county are looked after to a high standard."