Mr. Michael Fitzgerald:

The Senator asked a number of questions. I am joined by Dr. Sinead O'Brien, who is the mental health clinical director in Cork and also a consultant psychiatrist, and by Mr. Derek Chambers, a general manager, in the context of having a national perspective on mental health.

The communication process has been ongoing with the families, particularly the residents. I will ask Dr. O'Brien to comment on this matter as well. Our first contact was the direct communication with the residents. Their will and preference are our priority. That would be married with their assessed clinical needs in order to ensure that any placement is appropriate and would have the best chance of being satisfactory for their well-being. That is absolute.

I take the Senator's point regarding the communication. It is always very difficult to communicate the ceasing of a service in a particular centre. We completely accept it is very upsetting for the residents and their families for a variety of reasons. We did not take this decision lightly. We took it on the understanding that the building is not fit for purpose. Even with significant investment, our estates people could not guarantee that we would have a fit-for-purpose building. That is an important factor. I will hand over to Dr. O’Brien who might want to comment on the assessment process.