Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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1585. To ask the Minister for Health for a progress update on the reopening of a respite centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11052/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the independent regulator, the Mental Health Commission, found that the premises at Owenacurra was not up to the required standard in its inspection reports. Following advice from construction experts, in 2021 the HSE took the difficult but necessary decision to close the Centre in a coordinated and resident-centred way.

As Minister, I have been informed by the HSE that the construction of a ten-bed community mental health residence is set to take place on the grounds of the Owenacurra Centre in Midleton. This project is a significant step in expanding mental health services in the area, and the tender process for the construction is scheduled to begin later this month, March.