Rosalie unit closure
Senator Terry Leyden opposes the closure of the Rosalie unit in Castlerea, calling it elder abuse and urging a debate and reversal of the decision.
I support motion No. 16 on the Order Paper which reads:
That Seanad Éireann opposes the closure of the Rosalie unit in Castlerea, County Roscommon, which cares for psychiatric patients including those with Alzheimer's and dementia.
I ask the Deputy Leader to provide time for a debate today, otherwise, with my colleagues, we intend to move the motion for debate.
The situation is that the matter has been raised by people like Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice, Councillor Orla Leyden, Councillor Nigel Dineen and other councillors. Others involved include Dr. Greg Kelly and Dr. Charles Byrne, who is the chief psychiatrist in County Roscommon. He has expressed his concerns in today's local newspapers. He is a consultant psychiatrist and he has strongly criticised the plans to close the Rosalie unit at Áras Naomh Caolinn in Castlerea.
Comment on this
He has called for the decision to be reversed. What is happening down there is absolutely elder abuse. The 25 patients are being thrown to the wind without any concern whatsoever just because the HSE wants to cut costs. The Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, is absolutely not carrying out her duties. I am calling on Senator John Kelly to use his influence in the Labour Party Parliamentary Party to reverse this decision, which is against the interests of patients in County Roscommon. We are going to continue to move this issue in this House. We are going to get a situation where there will be a vote in this House. We will call on Senator John Kelly to vote against the closure of the Rosalie unit in Castlerea, County Roscommon, rather than being on radio talking about this. Deputies Frank Feighan and Denis Naughten and all the other Deputies have no influence. I want them all involved on this issue to ensure we have no further downgrading of medical services in County Roscommon.
Comment on this
The Senator is the choirmaster. Is that it?