Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses from east Cork. Like Deputy Buckley, I wish to state that it is a pity that we are here today. I recognise that there is a balance to strike between the needs of the residents, who are citizens; the family members, who provided a powerful testimony today; and the report of the Mental Health Commission and the HSE. I was at the HSE briefing on the closure of Owenacurra a few weeks ago with Deputy Buckley. I have spoken to Deputies O'Connor, Stanton and Sherlock about the matter. I have to be honest. Like Deputy Buckley, my concern here is that we need to ensure, first of all, that the people who use the service in Owenacurra are housed, cared for and looked after in a building and a facility that is not just adequate, but meets their needs. That is my first point.

I might be speaking out of turn when I make my second point, because I was not at the meeting yesterday. I ask that following today's meeting we consider inviting representatives of the Mental Health Commission and the HSE to attend the committee. I accept the point that the proposed transfer of the service to different locations and the whole issue around the provision of the service has been very badly handled by HSE management. My only motivation is to ensure that a state-of-the-art residential unit is put in place for the residents. We must ensure that the continuum of care and service delivery is such that both family members and service users can be absolutely satisfied and quality of life is guaranteed for residents.

I would like to hear the views of Dr. Kelleher on the report of the Mental Health Commission and on the HSE estates management report, both of which have been presented to us. I thank the case manager for the excellent presentation that she gave today. The HSE estates management department is giving us a different view from what we have heard from the family members today. I ask for the views of Dr. Kelleher on the reports I mentioned previously. I thank the family members for being here today. I wish they did not have to attend the committee today to highlight the issue.