Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I understand the Deputy's frustration but he must think back to two years ago when I was informed by the fire office in County Cork that the building was not fit for purpose and was a danger to the residents. At that time, two or three reports were commissioned. We do not have that type of reduction in beds referred to by the Deputy. It is really good news that we are going to have this new ten-bed unit there. The current outline plan is very ambitious with a goal of commencing building on quarter one of 2024 - so this is not too far away - with a view to the completion of the unit in quarter one of 2025. My plan is that there will be two community homes in Midleton where those six residents will have those supports. They will also have wraparound supports. The Deputy said that the residents' will and preference might not always have been adhered to but the Mental Health Commission had a role to play here.

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