Drumcar funding 'a matter for NEHB'

Rseponsibility for funding St Mary's residential home in Drumcar, Co Louth, for people with disabilities, is a matter for the North Eastern Health Board, the Minister of State for Health told the Dáil.

Mr Tim O'Malley said he hoped that progress could be made about funding for staff at the home "within the resources available" to the board.

Health department officials would meet health board representatives next week to discuss the situation at Drumcar, which was strongly criticised in a consultants' report. The officials would also meet management of St John of God's, which runs the home, the Minister said.

Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (SF, Cavan-Monaghan,) who raised the issue, said the families of more than 250 people at the home were "sick with worry" about the welfare and safety of their loved ones.

Mr Dan Neville (FG, Limerick East) said it was "not acceptable" to restrain people and lock them into rooms. This was forced on staff at the home because of lack of resources.

Mr Ó Caoláin called on the Minister to provide the resources for the recruitment of 30 extra staff at the home. He said his brother Dermot, who has Downs syndrome, spent many years as a Drumcar resident. "Our family has had nothing but appreciation and admiration . . . for the staff of dedicated carers at that facility."

He said he was in no way criticising the staff and management. They were dedicated, hard-working, committed and well-trained and were eager to deliver an excellent service to the residents, but because of staff shortages, they could only carry out essential services.