Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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347. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline details as to the difference in the position of the Mental Health Commission, MHC, on the Owenacurra Centre closure that took effect between 18 November 2022 and 8 December 2022, such that the MHC moved from being able to brief a national newspaper on aspects of its closure oversight to not being able to take any questions on this subject from the Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5650/23]

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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348. To ask the Minister for Health if he will outline the restraints that prevented the Mental Health Commission from meeting with families of Owenacurra Centre residents in October 2021; when these restraints came into effect; what occasioned them; when they expired; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5651/23]

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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349. To ask the Minister for Health if the Mental Health Commission has concerns about Owenacurra Centre residents being offered shared rooms in long-stay wards far outside east Cork as alternative placements, as well as temporary accommodation in Cork city; the way this action is in line with our commitments under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5652/23]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 347 to 349, inclusive, together.

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.

In its recent inspection reports, the Mental Health Commission identified numerous risks associated with this centre.

As stated above, the Mental Health Commission is an independent agency, however the Department of Health sought responses from the Commission in relation to the above Parliamentary Questions. The Mental Health Commission provided the following responses:

- PQ 5652/23 - “The MHC has repeatedly communicated its concerns to the HSE regarding the HSE’s obligations to consult with and listen to residents as part of the HSE’s proposed closure of the service.”

- PQ 5651/23 – “Any issues raised by the families with the MHC were, and will continue to be, brought to the attention of the registered proprietor. The MHC met with residents either remotely or in-person during the annual and one focused inspection in 2021; in-person with residents during the annual and two focused inspections of the centre in 2022; and in late August 2022, the MHC also met with families of residents.”

- PQ5650/23 – “There was no change in position by the MHC between 18 November and 8 December 2022.”