James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State referred to the amalgamation of Wexford and Waterford mental health services. There was no amalgamation. The Wexford services were simply cut and the name "Wexford" was tacked on to the Waterford services. People who needed those services in Wexford were then sent down to Waterford. There was no increase in the service provision in Waterford and no replacement of community services in Wexford to cover those people who needed help and support. The Minister of State said there are 44 beds in Waterford. That is what is there now. The critical issue is the acute beds. They will be cut from 14 beds to six. If the HSE does not agree to cut the number of beds to six, there will be none there. We have not heard about a plan to deal with the crisis that is coming down the line. The response has to be submitted to the commission by Friday. I have seen a version of the response from the HSE. It amounts to a two-line statement to the effect that "What is there is better than nothing so please do not close us down". That is effectively what it says and it is not good enough. This crisis will happen in the next week and we need a detailed response.

See this speech in context