Máire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his reply. Unfortunately, no date has been given in terms of the negotiations at the Workplace Relations Commission. The stalemate has lasted a year and a half at this stage.

Does the Minister of State understand that there are people who cannot be managed in approved centres and people in prison who are waiting to avail of the new facility? A tragedy occurred in my area, which is located in the constituency of Dublin South-Central, last week. The person involved cannot be admitted to the Central Mental Hospital due to overcrowding. To free up space, the institution would have to pick somebody to return to the prison population but he or she would clearly be unfit to be moved. We are not fulfilling our duty of care and nurses in particular are concerned about this matter.

The HSE has agreed that the staff have made prudent demands. Rosters were also implemented without a by your leave. The days of draconian management are over. Consultations and negotiations are required, which is the nub of the issue, but the Workplace Relations Commission will probably not meet for some months. I urge the Minister of State to ask the Minister to hurry this matter along and get these much-needed beds opened.