James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Today, the HSE has discussed the ongoing work on the decongregation of certain health settings. Obviously, Mr. Reid is very aware of the decision to close the Owenacurra centre. Much of that work probably took place during 2020. I wish to raise this issue with him A number of anomalies were evident in the process of making decisions on what was planned for the patients who resided at the facility. Nine people remain in the centre. Unfortunately, following the decision to close, there is no pathway forward for the current residents in terms of relocation. How does the HSE plan to decongregate? Following what has happened at the Owenacurra centre, I am quite concerned about the provisions that have been to provide more suitable accommodation and meet needs in the mental healthcare settings that are operated by the HSE. Does the CEO think the HSE failed in terms of how it went about making the decision to close the Owenacurra centre? For future reference, when decisions are being made to close down mental healthcare facilities, I urge the HSE to plan properly and invest in more suitable settings as it sees fit. I say that because the HSE decided to close the Owenacurra centre but it did no work on the relocation of the service users. Unfortunately, the remaining nine residents do not know where they will reside in a year's time, which is an unacceptable situation that needs to be addressed.