Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

343. To ask the Minister for Health if her attention has been brought to the findings of the Mental Health Commission in respect of compliance with national standards in the acute mental health unit at Cork University Hospital; the steps being taken to address the issues identified, in particular staff shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16300/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The findings of the Mental Health Commission's recent report have been brought to my attention. I understand that the hospital management and the HSE have provided a number of assurances regarding measures that will be taken to address the issues raised.

As the Deputy may be aware, approved centres are inspected to examine their compliance levels with regulations, rules and part 4 of the Mental Health Act 2001 and codes of practice. Areas of inspection are deemed to be either compliant or non-compliant and where non-compliant, risk is rated as low, moderate, high or critical.

Registered proprietors are given an opportunity to review the draft report and comment on any of the content or findings. The Inspector will take into account the comments by the registered proprietor and amend the report as appropriate. The registered proprietor is requested to provide a Corrective and Preventative Action (CAPA) plan for each finding of non-compliance in the draft report. The Commission monitors the implementation of the CAPAs on an ongoing basis and requests further information and action as necessary.

If at any point the Commission determines that the approved centre’s plan to address an area of non-compliance is unacceptable, enforcement action may be taken.

The Mental Health Commission published a number of inspection reports of approved centres on 25 March 2025, including the Acute Mental Health Unit, Cork University Hospital (AMHU CUH). The findings contained in the report relating to this approved centre pertain from 9 to 12 April 2024, during which the Commission conducted an unannounced inspection. In their inspection report, the Commission noted that it was not assured that minimum standards of safe, effective, high quality, person-centred care and treatment were being provided in the approved centre.

Department officials contacted the HSE in relation to the above and the HSE have confirmed that significant corrective and preventative actions have been undertaken in relation to issues identified in the inspection report and these have been formally submitted to the Commission. The HSE have provided substantial evidence to the Commission demonstrating progress toward full regulatory compliance, inclusive of a commitment to significant infrastructure investment.

Finally, the HSE has committed to working collaboratively with the Mental Health Commission to achieve full regulatory compliance through the delivery of high-quality, safe care to patients.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

344. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff in the acute mental health unit at Cork University Hospital from the year 2019 to date in 2025, by staff category, in tabular form. [16301/25]

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

345. To ask the Minister for Health the amount spent by the HSE on agency staffing in each of the years from 2019 to 2024 and to date in 2025, in the acute mental health unit at Cork University Hospital; and the staff categories these relate to, in tabular form. [16302/25]

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

346. To ask the Minister for Health the number of staff currently working in the acute mental health unit at Cork University Hospital on an agency basis, by staff category, in tabular form. [16303/25]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 344, 345 and 346 together.

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.