Sinn Féin TD for Cork East Pat Buckley TD has welcomed the decision by the Oireachtas Health Committee to visit the Owenacurra Mental Health Unit in Midleton, Cork later this month.

The decision comes at a crucial time in a local campaign to keep area mental health services in place, as the HSE plans to close the unit.
 
Teachta Buckley said:
 
“This is a very welcome decision by the Committee and its members, who I feel have taken much more seriously the concerns of locals and service users than the HSE, Department or Minister unfortunately.
 
“I have been raising this issue daily for months and have been fobbed off with answers lacking clarity or commitment.

“I have met the Minister in private at my request with other TDs, I have asked questions in the Dáil, and it has not been taken seriously by the government who seem happy to progress with the closure plan.
 
“I hope this visit by the Committee will not just be a photo opportunity and will be the beginning of a much more serious approach to the issue.

“I certainly will be supporting them in any work they can do to push for a resolution which meets the needs of locals and those dependent on the service, including the residents of the unit.”