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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Reachtaíocht a Gealladh - Questions on Promised Legislation

Rosalie unit in Castlerea

Summary

Eugene Murphy and other Deputies object to plans to remove residents from the Rosalie unit in Castlerea, saying it is their home and that the HSE is abandoning them. The Minister says he lacks the full information but will alert the relevant Minister, who is trying to find a solution.

My question is in respect of A Programme for a Partnership Government. I am sorry the Taoiseach has left the Chamber. I wish to raise a matter regarding health services in County Roscommon, and in particular, an issue I have brought up repeatedly, the Rosalie unit. I know this is not the Minister for Communications, Climate Change and Environment's area but tomorrow morning one patient, and perhaps a second, will be forcibly removed from the Rosalie centre in Castlerea in Roscommon. Our brothers and sisters, human beings, will be taken out of what has been their home for almost 30 years. This is an absolute, total and utter disgrace. When the Taoiseach was Minister for Health, he and the former Deputy and Minister of State, Kathleen Lynch, gave a commitment that this centre would not close. It is a centre for 34 people who do not have advice and who are very vulnerable. There will be a major protest outside the centre tomorrow morning and people intend to prevent this happening. This is a very urgent matter.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I know it is.

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I want answers. I want the Minister to immediately give a message to the Taoiseach and the Minister for Health to instruct the HSE to back off this now.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Minister, Deputy Bruton, can answer if he is in a position to do that.

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Richard Bruton Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Fine Gael

I unfortunately do not have access to the information-----

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

I am sorry for interrupting the Minister but other Deputies have questions on this same issue as well.

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It is the same issue.

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It is also the same issue.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Deputy Martin Kenny does not have to elaborate.

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It is on the same issue and I will be very brief. This seems to be a position that the HSE is adopting all over the country. It is closing down units like this, moving people out into the private sector and leaving these units empty for years.

These people have lived in this facility for decades and it is their home. They are being turfed out on the street, which is totally inappropriate and wrong.

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It is a disgrace.

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The Taoiseach, who left a few minutes ago, had a written letter to say this would not happen.

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The Government has completely turned its back on these people.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

The Minister to answer, if he is in a position to do so.

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Unfortunately, I do not have access to the full information on this. The Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Jim Daly, was in the House last week to answer questions and I am aware from conversations that he is making great efforts to find a solution. All I can do is alert him to the continuing concerns of Deputies. I can well understand the concerns they are expressing but I know the Minister of State has been trying very hard to find a solution.

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The Taoiseach and the Minister for Health need to take it on.

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Pat the Cope Gallagher An Leas-Cheann Comhairle Fianna Fáil

Order. I call Deputy Buckley and I know he will be brief.

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