Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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209. To ask the Minister for Health the engagements that he has had with the Mental Health Commission on the proposed closure of the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton in either 2021 or 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50670/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Mental Health Commission is an independent statutory body established under the provisions of the Mental Health Act 2001. Under the Mental Health Act 2001, the Mental Health Commission is required to inspect and regulate all approved centres across the country at least once a year.

The Mental Health Commission in its recent inspection reports identified numerous risks associated with this centre.

The decision not to proceed with refurbishment of Owenacurra was made by HSE CHO 4, in consultation with HSE Estates. The Deputy will appreciate that as the HSE has statutory responsibility for the planning and delivery of health services, it would be inappropriate for me, as Minister, to become directly involved in this operational matter. However, since I was informed of the HSE decision to close Owenacurra, I have been liaising with them as appropriate to ensure all decisions and actions taken are made with the best interests of the residents in mind, both from a health and safety viewpoint and from the provision of appropriate treatments and supports.

On the broader front, Department of Health officials have regular Governance meetings with the Mental Health Commission to review relevant issues at a high level, including monitoring the issue raised in this instance.

I acknowledge that mental health services must evolve to ensure they are in line with international best practice and regulatory requirements. It is positive to note that there has been an overall improvement in Mental Health Commission compliance among approved mental health centres in recent years. However, I and the HSE recognise that further improvements are required generally in our approved centres to meet appropriate regulatory requirements. This objective is in line with the objectives of Sharing the Vision and the significant funding given to Mental Health over recent years, including under Budget 2023.

The Government and I value the role of the Mental Health Commission as an independent regulator and their commitment to promoting high standards and good practice in mental health services. We remain, in conjunction with the HSE, fully committed to the delivery of high-quality, person-centred, and recovery oriented mental health care. This needs to take account, as appropriate, of many factors including a balance between promoting high standards, operational requirements and identified service needs.

The Deputy can rest assured that I will continue to closely monitor, as appropriate, this issue.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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210. To ask the Minister for Health the engagements that he has had with the Mental Health Commission on the inpatient acute psychiatric ward in Bantry Hospital in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50671/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Mental Health Act 2001, the Mental Health Commission (MHC) is required to inspect and regulate all approved centres across the country at least once a year. The Government values the independent role of the MHC, which is to promote high standards and good practice in mental health services.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Commission has made a decision to put a restriction on the registration of the Mental Health Care and Recovery Approved Centre in Bantry General Hospital, reducing its total number of registered beds from 18 to 11, due to their concern over the size of resident’s bedrooms. Since I was informed of the Commission’s decision, I have been liaising with the HSE to ensure all decisions and actions taken are made with the best interests of the residents in mind, both from a health and safety viewpoint and from the provision of appropriate high quality treatments and supports.

On 16 September 2022, I was advised by the HSE of their intention to appeal the MHC decision to put a restriction on the centre in Bantry. The Deputy will appreciate that as this is now a matter before the District Court, and in light of the independent role of the MHC, it would not be appropriate for me, as Minister, to become involved in individual cases involving the Commission.

On the broader front, I acknowledge that mental health services must evolve to ensure they are in line with international best practice and regulatory requirements. It is positive to note? that there has been an overall improvement in compliance among approved mental health centres nationally in recent years. However, I recognise that further improvements are required generally in our approve?d centres to meet appropriate regulatory requirements. The Government and the HSE are therefore fully committed to the delivery of high-quality, person-centred, recovery oriented mental health services. This needs to take account, as appropriate, of many factors including a balance between promoting high standards, operational requirements and identified service needs.

The Deputy can rest assured that I will continue to closely monitor, as appropriate, this issue.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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211. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 593 of 14 September 2022, the dates that clinical staff members based in Garnish House, Cork were informed of the decision by the HSE to vacate the property in Q1 of 2023; the format and context that this information was conveyed to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50672/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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212. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 593 of 14 September 2022, the dates that residents of Garnish House, Cork were informed of the decision by the HSE to vacate the property in Q1 of 2023; the format and context that this information was conveyed to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50673/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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213. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 593 of 14 September 2022, the dates that senior clinician managers of allied health disciplines and nursing managers, for example, with responsibility for Garnish House, Cork were informed of the decision by the HSE to vacate the property no later than the end of Q1 of 2023; the format and context that this information was conveyed to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50674/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.