Ms Tess O'Donovan:

No, but concerns on utilisation of St. Stephen’s site for mental health supports are being raised with my office. We are talking about a different model. We are talking about a purpose-built facility, not what we currently have. That is the best direction to travel. There will always be an element of patients who will require residential care. We need to purpose-build our facilities that are age-attuned, whether it is older persons or persons with mental health difficulties. There will be a development on site. A capital development in Owenacurra for ten beds is with estates at the moment – again, purpose built for residential respite as part of the overall management. I think that is an update from the previous committee meeting, when that information was not available. To be able to secure a ten-bedded unit is positive for Midleton because of everything that has been said at this committee about how good the environment in Midleton is for individuals who have enduring mental health difficulties. The day centre has moved into a temporary accommodation but, equally, we will look at a permanent facility for the day services centred around Midleton, where the people have been living for most of their life.