There is currently no inspection of residential services where people with an intellectual disability live, and no standards these services have to meet. The Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) has spent the last two years drafting, consulting on and devising such standards. Inclusion Ireland has been told that these standards may now only be introduced on a voluntary basis. This is not good enough.

The urgent need for standards will be one of many issues discussed at Inclusion Ireland’s 2009 AGM in two weeks in Monaghan. The majority of attendees will be parents of people with an intellectual disability. The keynote speakers will discuss standards in residential services for people with a disability. Dr. Marion Witton of HIQA will discuss the situation in the Republic of Ireland, while Mr. John Black of the Northern Irish body the RQIA, will discuss how standards have been in place in Northern Ireland for many years.

Inclusion Ireland 2009 AGM & Annual Conference

Venue: Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan
When: 6pm - 8pm Friday 27th March
          9am - 4pm Saturday 28th March
Who:Inclusion Ireland, the National Association for People with an Intellectual Disability

Keynote Speakers:
• Dr. Marion Witton, Chief Social Services Inspector at HIQA on implementing standards in residential services;
• Mr. John Black of the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland on the implementation of standards in Northern Ireland;

Features:
• Mark Little of RTÉ’s Primetime will Chair a Q&A Panel Discussion with local politicians;
• Dr. Mark Hamilton of RTÉ’s How Long Will You Live on Managing your Healthcare;
• Dr. John Owens, former Chairperson of the Mental Health Commission on mental health issues and people with an intellectual disability;
• Debate from the floor on motions around education, funding, carers and many others