Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Not at all, I understand.

I know exactly where the two Deputies are coming from. Sharing the Vision, our new mental health policy, is all about support in the community including day hospitals, peer support, crisis cafes, which all play a hugely important role to allow people with mental health issues to live at home.

It was unfortunate, which is the only word I can use, that having been closed for so long due to Covid, when the service did reopen, a fire broke out in the adjoining area of the day hospital. This meant that the building was unsafe for use. Obviously, we were not in a position to put people into the day hospital then. I have visited day hospitals all over the country. They are very important and hugely supportive for people have mental health illness and challenges. I give both Deputies a commitment here today that I will keep a special eye on this to look at the time frame. All I want to do is have all of these facilities open to support people with their mental health.

The temporary closure of the Navan day hospital due to a fire outbreak is very unfortunate. It has impacted on our ability to provide the level of service we aspire to uphold. The Deputies will appreciate it was completely out of my control. The reduction in service has been difficult for individuals using the day hospital, but I assure the Deputies that every effort is being made. I am confident that services will resume fully in the near future. Go raibh maith agaibh. I will revert to the Deputies when I have more information.

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