Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the HSE management for joining us to discuss this important issue.

I want to highlight the fact that when we had the first meeting of the Joint Sub-Committee on Mental Health on this issue in early September, two family members of Owenacurra residents were present.

It was probably one of the most moving, emotional and powerful meetings that we have had. It gave the committee members an significant insight into the impact this closure would have on the residents and what was ahead for them.

I am conscious that we have not heard from the residents directly in these Oireachtas meetings so far. I want to highlight the wonderful work that the broadcaster, Mr. P.J. Coogan, did. I would recommend that anybody who is watching here today look it up. Mr. Coogan interviewed the residents and their families. I believe Mr. Coogan won an award for these interviews. I would recommend anybody, including anybody from the HSE, to listen to those because it was such a huge impact on those families and the residents.

I am also aware that the families of Owenacurra are mindful of the many other families who require these respite and long-stay placements for their loved ones in east Cork. These families, who have been in contact with us, want us to focus on the broader service loss to the region going forward.

I am conscious I have not got a huge about of time but I have a few questions. The first question I would like to ask our witnesses today is, do they agree that people who require the framework of a 24-hour staffed residential placement have the right to live in their own community? The importance of the residents living in their own community was highly stressed in that programme by Mr. Coogan. They are able to go out their door. They are able to walk down the street in their own community. They are welcomed into shops and into the library. They feel at home there. Do the witnesses agree that people who require the framework of a 24-hour staffed residential placement have the right to live in their own community?