Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to raise the issue of mental health services in County Roscommon. The people who use mental health services in Roscommon, their families and the staff must be provided with the facts about the current and future provision of services in the county. I have listened to a wide range of individuals over the past number of days who are involved in the mental health services in the county. All these people have been clear and definite in their view that the HSE is implementing a different agenda on the ground to that which it publicly states. What is clear is that the statements from the HSE and the experiences of people within the mental health services does not match up. I have spoken at length to the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health, Deputy Helen McEntee, and with the chief officer of community services within that service area. Both have advised me that there are no active plans to close the various day centres and hostels, namely, Ballaghaderreen, Boyle, Strokestown, Castlerea and Athleague. The HSE has also informed me that there are no plans to close the community nursing unit in Áras Naomh Chaolain or to relocate residents to private nursing homes. I have been advised that the HSE is currently consulting residents, family and staff in one setting from which patients are being transferred to a more appropriate setting. That is an ongoing process at the moment.

I want to make it very clear that this information has been provided by the HSE to me in writing. The difficulty is that there is an obvious difference between what people are saying to me and what the HSE has stated. I want to know the truth. I also want the external report into mental health services in County Roscommon to be finalised and made available as quickly as possible. I expect this report to identify challenges and weaknesses within our services and an action plan to support people and bring about improvement for people who need to use our mental health services and their families. I ask that the Minister of State, Deputy Helen McEntee, addresses us on this issue as quickly as possible.