Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I send my deepest sympathies, and those of the Fianna Fáil Party, to the families of those victims murdered and injured in yesterday's brutal attacks in Manchester. It is hard to fathom the extent of this depravity. Why anyone would attack innocent children at a concert is beyond the realms of belief. The people of Manchester, as we know, are resilient and will not stand for this type of evil attack on their city or children. I would like to send the message that we stand 100% behind them in their fight against terrorism in their city. I also hope this vicious attack by extreme Islamic fundamentalists does not isolate Muslim communities in Manchester, or in our own city, who vehemently condemn these barbaric attacks along with us. The second issue I wish to raise is the imminent closure, from 1 June, of 11 of the 22 beds at the Linn Dara child and adolescent inpatent mental health service in Cherry Orchard in Ballyfermot. This decision will have a major impact on the already hard-hit mental health services in the greater Dublin area. I, therefore, implore the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Helen McEntee, to reconsider and stop the closure. The closure of the 11 beds is due to a shortage of nursing staff. Over 50% of the nursing posts at the centre are currently vacant. As we know, Ireland is one of the leading importers and exporters of medical professionals, something of which we should be ashamed. This is an extreme but real example of the shambolic recruitment policy followed by the Government in the past six years. Children who have been diagnosed as critically unwell and admitted to hospital and who are at serious risk of harm are being discharged back to their homes where they could be at risk of further harm due to the staff shortages. The solution is placing them in adult facilities which, ultimately, are not appropriate. The closure is completely unacceptable and shows the disrespect and almost contempt the Government has for children with mental health issues. If need be, they can be forced to attend adult psychiatry units which are most inappropriate. I call on the Minister of State to stop the closure.