Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Minister met with families of the Owenacurra health facility in Midleton, County Cork, and he is aware of that situation. The needs of some 400 people have not been met in the past two years because of two short-term respite beds. The

Committee on Health and the Sub-Committee on Mental Health have called for the reversal of the HSE's decision to close the centre. I ask the Minister to go back to the Ministers to tell the HSE to reverse that situation. Last Saturday night, a woman who was refused services slept in her car outside the centre. I am asking and appeal once again to the Minister and the Ministers of State to tell the HSE to reverse the decision to close the Owenacurra health facility, in Midleton, County Cork.

See this speech in context