Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 29 May 2024

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters

Rights-Based Approach to Day Services: Discussion

Mr. Joe Meany:

I will make one other point on that. We spent a lot of time talking about day services. I alluded earlier on to the fact that there is a huge structure within day services now from the HSE's point of view but we should not forget that it is the person at the centre of it all. Sometimes, whether it be day service or residential service, we tend to get ownership over a particular service. However the individual we are supporting should never know that; the service should be one continuum of support. That is my message, namely, that we should not let any organisation, be it ourselves or the HSE, etc., create the cracks that people can fall through. To me, the continuum of support is key. It should be seamless and that is what we are striving to do.