Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. The Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, Deputy Butler, has been regularly liaising with the HSE on this very important matter, since it was announced. The HSE has affirmed that in the context of the closure of the centre, the needs and preferences of each resident are of paramount importance.

On 28 June, the HSE notified the Department of Health that the HSE's Cork-Kerry community healthcare organisation had taken the difficult decision to close the Owenacurra centre in Midleton as the building is not fit for purpose. Owenacurra is a long-term residential centre with 19 residents but it also accommodates a mental health day service. The Mental Health Commission, as regulator, had raised serious concerns about the centre and the HSE shares those concerns. HSE estates confirmed that the building is in very poor condition with major defects and is not fit for purpose. It was originally planned to refurbish the building but as work progressed on those plans it became clear that no matter what refurbishment took place, the building could not meet either building or commission standards.

The HSE's priority is the welfare of the 19 residents of the centre. It has confirmed that all of the residents have had their needs assessed so that they can be appropriately placed in accordance with their assessed needs. I understand meetings with the multidisciplinary team to discuss options and the wishes of each individual resident, with family where consent is provided, are ongoing and I understand that it is planned to complete the programme of meetings this week. The multidisciplinary team continues to have ongoing discussions with all residents and a key contact lead is available as a facilitator for residents, families and the team. Social work input has been increased, including support from a housing co-ordinator, and increased consultant input is also available. A member of the independent Irish Advocacy Network is part of the project steering group, in addition to a mental health service user family member and carer engagement representative, to ensure the residents and families continue to have independent supports available throughout the process. The process of engagement with the staff is also being progressed, informed by the terms of the public service stability agreement 2021-22, Building Momentum, and underpinned by the nationally agreed redeployment protocol. The HSE is reviewing what healthcare services are required in the Cork-Kerry area and if this site is suitable for the delivery of any of these services. The future of the entire site will be considered at a later stage. A suspended mental health day service is also located within the building and work is under way to identify an alternative location for this service, as close as possible to the current location. The Deputy highlighted that people with mental health challenges may be moved to a strange place and he wants me to bring these views back to the Minister of State. He has also asked that this decision be paused. I will bring his concerns to the Minister of State tomorrow and see if she and her team can address them directly with him.

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