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

What has been extraordinarily frustrating from my perspective, and Mr. Fitzgerald can attest to this because we raised it immediately with him at the first Oireachtas forum that took place for counties Cork and Kerry in Ballincollig following the HSE's decision, is the constant changing of the story around why the centre was being closed. First, the decision was postponed. Then we heard of plans for decongregated settings potentially to be set up in Midleton. Now, plans are being touted for the establishment of a new centre.

How long will that take? What is the plan? Is there an envisaged opening date for a new ten-bed centre that has been promised? Can Mr. Fitzgerald rule out today that the site where the Owenacurra centre is currently located will not be sold, as was promised that day at the forum? Deputy Stanton and I were the only Cork East Deputies in attendance that day when we were told that site was going to be retained for mental healthcare services. Can Mr. Reid and Mr. Fitzgerald rule that out for me here and now?