Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-Galway, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the motion, which I support. This is probably our tenth debate on mental health and, unfortunately, as a previous speaker pointed out, things do not change. That is especially the case in the Roscommon-Galway area where we have had nothing but closures and services being taken away. Day care centres were closed, hostels were closed and then we had the news about the Rosalie unit. This debacle has gone on for four or five years. There has been indecision and families have been treated in an abhorrent way. The manner in which patients and their families have not been given information and things have not been done in a transparent way is disgusting. The people in the Rosalie unit, which is a fine facility, have been there for many years and deserve to stay there. On top of that, we also have a situation in the acute unit in Roscommon in that step-down facilities are not provided. Unfortunately, it seems that people in the services in Roscommon get promoted for closing places. That is what seems to be emerging. They are putting middle-aged people in nursing homes who should not be there.

It is great if one can have the services in the community, but while we talk about it we are not resourcing it or supplying the service in the community. At the same time we are closing the different facilities that made life that little bit easier, be it in Ballaghaderreen, Athleague, Strokestown or wherever else in the county. I ask the Minister of State to have a comprehensive look at what is going on. He should take an overview of what has happened in Roscommon especially and give people dignity and treat them with respect. I do not blame the Minister of State but everything is pushed over to clinicians. They seem to be the saviours of the world. Unfortunately, my reading of it is that families and the patients know more than many of the so-called experts.

See this speech in context