Menu
Ireland's political and cultural magazine
December - January 2017 3 7
T
HE PLANNED closure of the St Mary of the
Angels institution in Beaufort, Co Kerry has
brought a disconcerting media focus on the
issue of de-institutionalisation of people with
intellectual disabilities. The families of resi-
dents have made their feelings known on how the
closure of that institution is being handled. They have
launched a Facebook campaign to ‘Save St Mary’s’ and
have been prominent in the media coverage.
The families weren’t the only prominent voices in the
media. Local public representatives in Kerry County
Council called for a reversal of a decision to move the
residents of St Mary’s to the community. Fine Gael Sena-
tor Paul Coghlan demonstrated a disturbing
deficits-model of disability in saying “a stop must be put
to this… (residents) cannot decide for themselves. To
treat them as if they can move on…is not possible.” Even
Daniel O’Donnell weighed in, saying he was sorry to hear
of the struggle and lauding the care and the atmosphere
in the centre.
The voices of the men and women who actually live in
the institution have been noticeably absent from this
debate. Despite media reports, the closure is not a pilot
project. It is national policy to close all such institutions
by 2018.
The infamous Áras Attracta in Swinford, Co. Mayo is
another institution that is due to shut. Following the
abuse and assaults uncovered by ‘Prime Time’, a report
was commissioned from Dr Kevin McCoy called ‘What
Matters Most’. This report captures the abusive nature
of institutional living for people with intellectual disabili
-
ties. It undertook a ‘day in the life’ exercise of residents.
It found that while staff members were pleasant and
respectful, it was nonetheless a sterile environment,
devoid of meaningful activity and absent of choice.
Where the residents had capacity for independent living
skills, this was not reflected in planning goals. It con-
cluded that residents of “Áras Attacta have little
opportunity to realise their potential to live the rich and
satisfying lives that they have a right to aspire to”.
Áras Attracta is far from an isolated case. Countless
Health Information and Quality Authority reports show
that many residents are at risk and that for many, life is
demeaning and unfulfilling. An Inclusion Ireland report
on the first 50 HIQA inspections found “a picture of
extensive non-compliance with regulations in areas such
as health and safety, independent advocacy, restrictive
practices and correct checking of medicines”.
Minister Finian McGrath said in a disappointing
response to a recent parliamentary question that he
totally accepted that “not all people residing at St. Mary
of the Angels in Beaufort will be suitable for transition
-
ing to community living”. Such a statement represents
a worrying step backwards from Government policy and
contradicts all evidence. Community-based models have
been shown to increase personal growth, decrease chal-
lenging behaviour, and increase community participation
and engagement in meaningful activity. People who are
supported to live in the community do better in family
contact, social networks and friendships, self-determi
-
nation and choice, quality of life, adaptive behaviour,
and above all else satisfaction.
Ireland is not unique in closing these institutions.
Across the world there is an acceptance that institution-
alisation does not work. The experience in the USA has,
in particular, demonstrated that everyone can live in the
community and there are no exceptions to this. In fact
those with the most complex needs are found to make
the most gains from supported, community living. That
is why the statement of Minister McGrath is so
mistaken.
The process of de-institutionalisation is undoubtedly
challenging. Supporting the move of individuals, who
have sometimes lived for 40 or more years in an institu-
tion, requires careful planning. A commitment of
resources and support must be made. Independent
advocacy is needed now more than ever to ensure that
the voice, the will and preference of the men and women
who live in such institutions is articulated and respected.
Families are concerned that a move to community
living will mean a reduction in support and that the de-
institutionalisation process is a way of cutting costs.
These fears are understandable. Political leadership is
required to give reassurance and effective communica
-
tion to unpick these fears. The Taoiseach admitted in the
Dáil that “communication could and should have been
better” in the case of St. Mary’s.
The ‘Programme for a Partnership Government’ set a
modest target of moving one third of the 2,725 people in
these so-called congregated settings by 2021. This is not
a time to roll back on this promise but a time to deliver.
Even if met and sustained, that rate of de-institutionali
-
sation will mean that we will miss the original target date
by 13 years. For some people this will mean that they die
in these institutions.
Sarah Lennon is Training and Development Officer with
Inclusion Ireland
Turmoil over
de-institutionalisation
Even ministers wobble on agreed progressive
policy of moving people with intellectual
disabilities back into the community
by Sarah Lennon
The voices of the
men and women
who actually live in
the institution have
been noticeably
absent from this
debate
Áras Attracta on 'Prime Time'
