Sir, - You published a report of a public protest by parents angered by the failure of the Eastern Regional Health Authority to provide suitable residential places for people with an intellectual disability whose need is undeniable (August 16th). This failure has a long history.
In 1976 myself and some other parents staged a similar protest on the steps of the Custom House. My son, also autistic and also cared for by a Camphill Community in Northern Ireland, was admitted to St Ita's, Portrane, where he remained for 23 years. He was not the only past pupil of the Curative School to be admitted to Portrane. Over the years many more people with a mental handicap have been admitted to St Ita's, despite policy statements, commitments, promises and public protests. In May 1999 the question came before the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights at Geneva. Section D Principal Subjects of Concern, Paragraph 14 states: "The Committee notes with regret that there is as yet no appropriate legislation dealing with the rights of the mentally handicapped and especially with regard to their detention in psychiatric clinics."
Despite the seriousness of a public rebuke from such an international body I cannot see how the State can remedy the injustice done to this section. There is no obligation on the non-statutory agencies to provide a service for people without a service. There is no law to prevent the dismissal of anyone from such a service. The health boards have never shown much evidence of having any obligation either. In desperate cases when families cannot cope, they are still offered the local mental hospital as a provider of suitable places. There are 14 locked wards for the mentally handicapped at St Ita's.
The efforts to initiate special services are flimsy and protracted in the extreme. The 1970 Health Act does not appear to help. In my opinion, until legislation is enacted which will compel health boards to deliver appropriate services on a basis of need, the situation will remain as it is, whatever the embarrassment caused to our Government internationally. - Yours, etc.
Annie Ryan, Blackrock, Co Dublin.