Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

We have ten petitions for consideration today. The first is No. P00042/21, from Ms Joanna Curtis, which is about saving the services at the Owenacurra centre in Midleton, County Cork. The clerk received an email from the petitioner thanking the committee for all of its support, seeking advice on how to close the petition given that the Owenacurra centre is going to be rebuilt. Two homes are being offered in Midleton for independent living for those residents who still need to be housed. The email states:

I hope you had a lovely Christmas and a terrific start to 2024 with lasting memories. I need advice, please, in how to close my petition and thank the Petitions Committee for all their support, such kindness whenever I've visited the Dáil and a lasting belief that I was a private citizen with an opportunity to have my issue debated. Everyone was exceptionally good to me.

The Owenacurra is going to be rebuilt and two homes are being offered in Midleton for independent living for those residents who still need to be housed in the community. Our councillor, Liam Quaide, must take credit for all his determination to tackle the decision of the HSE and Neasa Hourigan worked tirelessly too. Pat [Buckley, I wonder?] is a hero of mine! I was so grateful to Tess O'Donovan for being willing to meet me last year, though we had to postpone our arrangements for December.

I shall miss my visits, I have great memories of chats with the cathaoirleach and I did enjoy our emails and meeting you in the session and I'm grateful for all your reassurance!

Thank you so very much for everything.

All the very best,

Joanna.

The recommendation is that this petition be closed in line with the petitioner's request. We thank the petitioner for not only engaging but also for being happy with the petitions process.

On my own behalf, it is very nice to get a reply, to get something over the line and to know that the petitioners themselves are happy with the treatment they got from the clerks and the staff here.

Bualadh bos to all of them. Does Deputy Buckley want to say anything?