Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I assure her that in the context of the geography of County Mayo there is no duplication of service between Ballina and Castlebar. A considerable round trip is involved for those who now use the service in Ballina but who will be forced to go to Castlebar if this move proceeds. For the type of client who is being treated in Teach Ashling there is no duplication of service. They are getting a very specific treatment there which they will not get in St. Teresa's.

We all agree with the need to strengthen community mental health teams. However, if the closure of the Ballina unit goes ahead, ten nurses will be withdrawn from mental health treatment in Ballina and sent to the acute unit. That will destroy community mental health provision in north Mayo and west Sligo. People who do that job at present are unsung heroes.

I agree with many of the Minister of State's aims. However, if this decision goes ahead what may happen will fly in the face of many of those aims.

This is the second time in two months I have had to use the topical issue debate to raise the further downgrading of services at Ballina District Hospital. There seems to be a plan within the HSE, the Department of Health or somewhere, to close down that hospital. I can assure the Minister of State this will not happen on my watch. In one of the biggest towns in the country, the third biggest in Connacht, we will not stand by while our health services are being dismantled in this way. It is my job to highlight that. I look forward to welcoming the Minister of State.

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