My constituents are deeply concerned about the proposed closure of Perrott House mental health care facility in Skibbereen, County Cork. This residential care facility, which is staffed for 24 hours, has been home to many long-term residents, providing them with essential programmes like horticulture, music, poetry and art, as well as access to the local library, church and shop in Skibbereen. The HSE plans to move the residents to St. Stephen's Psychiatric Hospital in Glanmire, 100 km away, disrupting their lives and community ties. This decision has had a devastating impact on residents and their families, with no consultation involved. Having seen what has happened in nursing homes over the past few weeks, we feel this is another abuse of the elderly, the most vulnerable in our society. Will the Tánaiste intervene? When I am talking about intervention, I know that these people want to stay in Perrott House. I tried to put a hand out to Perrott House to get some explanation of what is going on but it refused to give us any information. It consulted with the families five or six weeks ago to say something was going to happen, but it has not told them where their loved ones are going to go or if they are going for one month, six months, 12 months or for life. The situation they find themselves in is scandalous.

I thank Deputy Collins for raising this issue. I am not in any way doubting the accuracy of what he says or his bona fides on it, but if true, that lack of communication would be quite extraordinary. I must say without knowing all the details that the idea of moving people 100 km is extraordinary at any stage in a person's life, least not in the latter stages. I know the Department of Health has engaged with the HSE on this matter. It has requested an urgent update on the issue, including information on the resident and family engagement strategy that might be in place to ensure transparency but also to ensure that service users and their families remain confident in all current and future service arrangements. The HSE continues to review on a constant basis the operational suitability of all mental health facilities to meet the needs of people with mental health difficulties, including Perrott House. I will certainly directly engage on this and come back to the Deputy.