Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The bottleneck is not created by staff being unwilling to do X, Y or Z; it exists because when a very difficult patient who requires a far higher level of care than others is put in an unsuitable unit without CCTV and one-to-one care, rather than a purpose-built unit to ensure both staff and patient are safe, it creates a pull from the very community services that the Minister of State is advocating people should use. The lack of a secure, purpose-built unit is one of the major problems, although I acknowledge it would not solve the problem entirely. This needs to be dealt with quickly.

I understand that Ms Catherine Cunningham from the PCCC service and others are to meet the Minister of State in the next week or so on this issue. Even if they receive the thumbs-up and the Minister of State has a cheque on the day, progress will take some time. In the meantime, there will be a backlog. Even today, two families have contacted me on this matter, and they are still expressing serious concern. I hate to have to say that because it worries those who need to use the service. If it is a fact, however, it is a fact. All of these people cannot be wrong and they have nothing to gain from taking their stance. All they are getting out of it is absolute worry about their nearest and dearest who are at their lowest possible ebb.

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