Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

When the witnesses say they have no power, I think we all understand what they mean. The Mental Health Commission has a power in that its words carry some weight. That in itself is a powerful thing the commission has. When we are asking about the stance and other things, the weight of the witnesses' words really does matter. The Mental Health Commission has a legal obligation to enforce that each resident has a place that meets their needs. Each person has the right to live independently or live in a setting that is suitable for their needs.

I know that mental health services that are designated continuing care provide for people with the highest level of need and have the highest staff to client ratio. Needless to say, as a Deputy from County Cork, I have significant concerns. West Cork has two community residences for people with enduring mental health illness, Perrott House and Saol Nua, both in Skibbereen. However, they are designated as high-support hostels. The only continuing care facilities in Cork are St. Stephen's Hospital in Glanmire, St. Catherine's ward near Cork city and the Owenacurra centre in Midleton. There is an older adult continuing care facility in north Cork in Mount Alvernia. I am not that familiar with the north Cork area. That means that, in west Cork, people with the highest level of need have no local community-based option. I know people from west Cork have been placed in St. Stephen's Hospital over the years. This requires major uprooting and detachment from their community. Of course, this committee is tasked with overseeing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. One of those rights is the right to live within one's own community.

Will Mr. Farrelly comment on the spread of 24-hour-staffed mental health services in Cork for people with enduring mental health illness? With the closure of the Owenacurra centre in Midleton, does this not mean people with the highest level of need in east Cork will now need to be referred to St. Stephen's Hospital or Saint Catherine's ward near the city, whereas until 2021 they were able to receive intensive support and live in the community?