Madam, – While the print media have quite rightly in the past highlighted damming reports in relation to services for the intellectually disabled in St Joseph’s service in St Ita’s Hospital, Portrane Co Dublin, now there is a good news story. At our meeting with Minister for Disability and Mental Health John Moloney on May 12th, a commitment was made that the 40 nursing posts needed have been approved by the HSE to ensure the opening of Knockamann on the grounds of St Ita’s hospital.
This will commence immediately and means the new day care centre and the 10 bungalows to provide single room accommodation for 60 residents will open this year.
Having campaigned for over 11 years to make this happen, we are delighted. This is hugely significant for the residents who will benefit from this move. It should also at last bring an end to the placing of people with an intellectual disability in bleak, dilapidated, and inappropriate accommodation in St Joseph’s. – Yours, etc,