Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I will finish on this. What the residents and families need now more than anything is certainty. Another drawn out period of uncertainty will only worsen anxiety among those who are most affected by these decisions. For any of us, uncertainty about our accommodation is deeply unsettling. It would be really unfair and unethical to subject a group of people with significant mental health difficulties to a further ordeal of uncertainty over the coming months. We need a funding commitment for the retention of these services on the site of the Owenacurra centre as a matter of urgency, either for a major renovation or a rebuild of the premises. That is what we will be focusing on here in Leinster House. We will do everything in our power to achieve that.

I appreciate that the witnesses have been put in a difficult position today. I thank them so much for attending. We will probably send them some questions. Deputy Hourigan asked some questions in respect of which they might also send us some written replies. I thank the witnesses most sincerely for appearing before the committee today and for their contributions. Go raibh míle maith agaibh.