Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

Deputies Ó Snodaigh, Conaghan and I attended a meeting in Ballyfermot last Thursday night arranged by service providers and clients of the Aisling Clinic. Those present were confused, angry, concerned, anxious and stressed by the decision to close the centre by the end of March. It appears a follow up plan has not been put in place for after the closure. Some service users will be asked to avail of the services of their general practitioners, while others will be sent to St. Stephen's Hospital, another centre in Clondalkin and a new health clinic which is being built. Many of those present expressed the view that using the new clinic would put client confidentiality at risk. The Aisling Clinic provides counselling for clients and their families and a wounds clinic and mental health services are available on campus. Confidentiality is at the top of the agenda of those who use the centre.

The Aisling Clinic has been in operation for 21 years which means the average age of clients is probably the highest of any such centre in Dublin. Some users started attending the centre when they were 17, 18 or 19 years of age and are now in their late 30s or early 40s. This group is very attached to the centre and reliant on its medication and counselling services. I was shocked to learn of how the clients of the clinic have been treated as a result of the decision to close the centre. The meeting heard that units 4 and 5 of Cherry Orchard Hospital could be used to maintain the service provided by the Aisling Clinic.

On behalf of Deputies Conaghan and Ó Snodaigh, the users of the Aisling Clinic and people of Ballyfermot, I appeal to the Minister of State to have the decision reversed. People are concerned that the closure of the clinic could result in many people in the area becoming highly dysfunctional, especially as 83% of the users of the service live in Ballyfermot. I await the Minister of State's response.

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