Dr. Orla Kelleher:

My understanding is that there is no funding commitment, no planning permission and no building has been identified for the ten-bed unit that is being proposed. I am just speaking as a family member here. I am sure it would take a number of years before the new unit would be up and running. In the meantime, people like my aunt would be moved elsewhere. We are very concerned about the fact that one of the reasons being cited for the closure of the centre is that the rooms are too small. Yet, the alternative accommodation being offered to service users could potentially be on a ward. My aunt has her own room in Owenacurra. Some, but not all, of the rooms are small. There are only 11 residents in the centre at present. Deputy Hourigan, who has expertise in the area, has indicated that the building can be refurbished. She has even offered to provide expert guidance on that. She has suggested that the refurbishment could be done with some of the residents in situ. There are issues with asbestos, which is standard for a building of the centre's age. In Deputy Hourigan's opinion as an architect, those issues could be dealt with. Our concern is that there is no funding commitment for the alternative ten-bed unit in Midleton yet. It has been indicated that there is funding for a three- to four-bed unit, but we do not know any of the details. In the main, out-of-area placements have been offered to families. That is not what our family members want.