Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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655. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 12 October 2022, the dates on which Department officials liaised with the Mental Health Commission with regard to the proposed closure of the Owenacurra Centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53236/22]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As I indicated in my previous comprehensive reply to the Deputy, both the HSE and the Mental Health Commission have certain statutory responsibilities in relation to the provision of Mental Health care generally, including this particular issue.

While Department of Health officials have regular Governance meetings with the Mental Health Commission to review relevant issues at a high level, it would not be appropriate for the Mental Health Commission (MHC) to engage with the Department of Health or the Minister with regard to the HSE’s decision to close Owenacurra. The MHC is an independent regulator of mental health services.

As previously advised, the Deputy can rest assured that I will continue to monitor this issue closely, as appropriate.