Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this matter again and for his constant advocacy for the residents of Owenacurra and the six people who still live in Owenacurra. It is their home from home. I thank him for always being so respectful when he speaks about this. The independent regulator, the Mental Health Commission, in inspection reports found that the premises at Owenacurra was not up to the required standard. Following advice from construction experts and the fire officer, the HSE took the difficult but necessary decision to close the centre in a co-ordinated, resident-centred way. The service continues to mitigate the risks associated with the current building. As the Deputy is aware, the kitchen was closed down and any food was brought in because that was one of the main issues.

The HSE informed residents and their families in June 2021 of the decision to relocate services from the Owenacurra Centre. Here we are in June 2023 and we still have six residents living in their home. Am I satisfied with the pace of this? No, I am not. I cannot believe I am back in here two years later still discussing the same issue. Residents will not be moved until appropriate placements have been found for each person. The expression "will and preference" have been used a lot but they have been respected. It will be based on their individually assessed needs and their will and preference. The HSE priority is to ensure that the most optimal placements are progressed for the six remaining residents. Meetings have taken place with families and residents and engagement continues with all residents to offer support and assurances.

I have, through the Department of Health, provided the HSE with €500,000 capital funding to assist with the reconfiguration of services associated with the Owenacurra premises. This has ensured that the HSE has purchased a property in Midleton that will be a community residence for mental health services. In the longer term, which was announced in the capital plan recently, the HSE will provide a new ten-bed rehabilitative residential unit in Midleton town. Both the Government and the HSE value the regulation of our mental health services as it provides a framework in which to constantly review and improve our services, so they remain person-centred.

I will talk about the 13 former residents in a high-level way so as not to identify anyone. The HSE advised me that following assessment of residents' needs and engagement regarding residents' will and preference, 13 residents left Owenacurra and have been accommodated at home with community supports, in nursing homes, in mental health high-support hostels and mental health services residential units.

I also met with the new mental health lead in CHO4 in the past few weeks and the mental health team in the area to discuss Owenacurra and other mental health issues in CHO4. I thought it was really important. I did express my concern that this is taking a long time and Owenacurra is still open with six residents. I am glad to see there is progress regarding one property and my understanding is that a second property is being considered because these people were given a guarantee that they would get to live in Midleton. They are embedded in the community and it was important that this would be respected.

Neither I nor the HSE has received correspondence from the European Ombudsman regarding Owenacurra. The European Ombudsman can investigate complaints about institutions, bodies and agencies of the EU but cannot investigate complaints against national, regional or local administrations, including the HSE. The Office of the Ombudsman can, however, examine complaints about the HSE.

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