David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I asked that question because I understand from other information that the HSE may go to tender on it in October and it may take a year and a half, or thereabouts, to build it. I congratulate the officials on the work they have done there; it is badly needed. If the HSE could hold off on closing Owenacurra until that was ready, a fine building would be available in the old Midleton hospital that could be used in the interim for residents in Owenacurra. I am putting that suggestion on the table.

Another suggestion that came up last night, was if the HSE would consider building a purpose-built centre in Midleton. The HSE has other grounds there, not at Owenacurra. The overwhelming request and pleading from the meeting last night was for the HSE to please not evict these residents against their will and preference, to use Mr. Fitzgerald's own words, and against the wishes of the community and all the elected representatives who turned up. There was cross-party agreement at the meeting, as there is here today. I ask Mr. Fitzgerald to do anything he can to hold off on that. As he said, October is not set in stone but is, rather, an arbitrary date that was picked out of the air. We were told of this in July and I am told that families only had real engagement on this matter in the past week . Families are very upset about it because they want proper engagement. There is a long way to go on this and I ask Mr. Fitzgerald to hasten slowly on it; as he said himself, it is not set in stone. I ask him to give time to work it out to make sure this vital service for the region, not just the town, of residential care, respite care and day care is maintained. I thank Mr. Fitzgerald for his commitment on day care. I understand he has not given any commitment on the other two matters but I again want to reflect, with my colleagues, the feeling in the area on this issue. He might come back on that.