Press Release 2 Feb 2010

“The coverage in today’s Irish Times reporting on the first two and half years of HSE’s recording of complaints in relation to disability services makes for very disturbing reading.”

Said John Dolan CEO, DFI.

Some people with disabilities, both children and adults can be extremely vulnerable and have poor communication skills so the need for a caring environment, comprehensive legislative, governance and management systems are essential to ensure that they are safe and reach their potential.

The necessary requirements for persons with disability is enshrined in both national and international (UN) policy and legislation and all involved must work in a transparent supportive environment to ensure that the most vulnerable in our society experience the benefits and expected outcomes of this policy and legislation in their daily lives.

In Ireland we now know enough about the importance of having robust systems to deliver and monitor the quality of person centred services to people who can be vulnerable. Timely and effective systems for governance, management and performance review as well as complaints and redress systems are essential elements of that.

DFI is very willing to continue to work with the HSE to ensure that lessons are learnt from the complaints gathered to date and we would want to actively support changes and developments that are required.

ENDS

For contact: John Dolan, Chief Executive DFI, 086-8370072

Allen Dunne, Deputy Chief Executive, DFI, 086-8502112