3000 People with Disabilities Living in Outdated Institutions

See this article by that title in the Irish Times. It begins:

UP TO 3,000 people with disabilities are living in outdated institutions and need be transferred to more suitable community settings, it has emerged.

Records obtained by The Irish Times show that health authorities believe that the numbers living in "congregated settings" are significantly greater than previously estimated and they should be in receipt of care in the community.

Officials say the process of de-institutionalising people in older facilities will take years and will require substantial resources.

In some instances the sale of large institutions may be used to fund some or all of the
capital costs involved.

However, records show that authorities are concerned that staffing costs in a greater number of community residences are likely to be much greater.

Part of the reason health authorities are moving to take action on the issue of those living in institutional care is the State's decision to sign up to a UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Government has not yet ratified the convention, however.