Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, Deputy Butler, sends her sincere apologies for not being here to address this very important issue herself. She is before the Select Committee on Health this morning, to bring forward legislation, and so it could not be avoided.

From the outset, I reassure the Deputy that the current and future care needs of the residents of the Owenacurra Centre have been paramount in all decisions and actions taken by the HSE. Owenacurra is a continuing care unit located in Midleton, Cork and currently has 19 residents. It is a single-storey building constructed in the early 1970s and is very much a building of its time. Following its most recent inspection in February this year, the Mental Health Commission raised concerns about persistent non-compliance with regulations on the premises. I note for context that the commission inspects all approved centres at least once a year and plays a vital role in assisting us in improving our mental health services for all. The premises at Owenacurra were highlighted and risk rated as critical. I note here for context that the report noted overall compliance at 83%, up from 80% in 2020.

On foot of this latest inspection, HSE mental health services commissioned the HSE estates department to review the current condition of the premises. I understand that following a number of detailed assessments, it formed the opinion that the building is in an unacceptably poor condition with major defects and that the layout is unsuitable for adequate infection prevention and control. Following this, Cork-Kerry Mental Health Services determined that a refurbishment could not bring the building to the standards required. Therefore, on 23 June, they notified the Mental Health Commission that the Owenacurra Centre would close on a phased basis between now and 31 October.

The immediate priority of the HSE is to consult with residents and their families individually and to agree an appropriate alternative placement based on their assessed needs. Cork-Kerry Mental Health Services have a plan for this, and management will also engage with staff and their representative bodies.

A mental health day service is also located within the building. Work is under way to identify an alternative location for this service, as close as possible to the current location. The future of the entire site will be considered at a later stage.

I note that the HSE is committed to improving its infrastructure, including new or improved community-based facilities and services for people with more severe and enduring mental health difficulties. Of the additional €50 million Exchequer funding provided in 2021, €7 million will fund reconfiguration of mental health facilities, in line with Mental Health Commission Covid risk assessment recommendations. This, plus the recurring €6 million in new development funding, means there is €13 million for minor works and refurbishments in 2021.

In 2020, the HSE drew down almost €4 million in once-off new development funding to improve the physical infrastructure of 16 mental health community and inpatient units, in line with Sharing the Vision recommendations and commission regulations. The Government is committed to the improvement and development of all aspects of mental health services through implementation of Sharing the Vision. The policy aims to enhance the provision of mental health services and supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention to acute and specialist mental health service delivery during the period 2020-30.

In terms of premises, I also highlight that the new 170-bed National Forensic Mental Health Service Hospital complex in Portrane will replace the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum this year. This new state-of-the-art facility will include a 130-bed adult unit, a ten-bed forensic child and adolescent unit and a 30-bed intensive care rehabilitation unit.

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