Sir, – I would like to back up the call by the Irish Council for Civil Liberties for a properly empowered independent inspection system for residential services for those with disabilities ("ICCL says properly implemented systems could have prevented abuse at Donegal care home', October 28th).
Further, I think all people as vulnerable as those who were victims of the assaults at the Donegal centre should have an independent advocate as recommended 25 years ago in Strategy for Equality.
I also worry that [in residential services] inspection and independent support were withdrawn during the pandemic leaving residents and their families with no way of asserting their rights.
The Health Service Executive has much to explain and apologise for over the manner it has run disability centres directly under its control.
The fact that issues of patient-on-patient abuse are difficult is not an excuse for doing nothing.
We are all dependent on the HSE in one or other of its guises. Has it become too big to fail? This should not lead to a silencing of criticism when one of its arms falls seriously short of minimum standards.
– Your, etc,
MÁIRIDE WOODS,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.