The Cathaoirleach welcomed the Members to the meeting and thanked the Executive for facilitating the special meeting that was requested by Cllr. Nigel Dineen and supported by Cllrs. Fitzmaurice, Ward, Kilduff, Shanagher, Connolly and Leyden. The meeting was requested to discuss the imminent closure of the Rosalie Home in Castlerea and he invited Cllr. Dineen to speak.

Cllr. Dineen outlined the events of the last couple of weeks where the HSE have decided to close the Rosalie Home and transfer its patients, despite previous assurances that this would not occur. There have been four reports on the Unit and only the fourth report recommends the closure while the other three have no issues with the home and how it provides its services. Why were three reports by highly professional health officials ignored while one was accepted?

Cllr. Fitzmaurice stated that services in the county are unsafe and the Mental Health Commission should carry out a review of the services

The following motion was proposed by Cllr. Dineen:  

“That Roscommon County council take injunctive procedures against the HSE halting any future reduction in the services of the Rosalie Home pending a complete and full investigation by the Mental Health Commission including were proper procedures put in place regarding the communication and consultation with the families throughout this entire process”

Members discussed the motions as follows:

·         The motion should be withdrawn regarding a possible injunction as we must take on board the advice of the Director and legal advice will also incur a cost.

·         Proceeding with an injunction would be counter productive and freeze all discussion.

·         We have a duty to look after our vulnerable people.

·         Cost should not be an issue.

Mr. Martin Lydon, Deputy Chief Executive advised that Roscommon County Council only participate in legal actions that are related to the functions that are performed by the County Council. There is also no budget to undertake such a process. To move into such a process it would have to be legally permissible. He confirmed that he will take legal advice and revert to the members.

After some debate by the members, the motion was withdrawn by Cllr. Dineen.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

                SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to the Mental Health Commission requesting that they investigate if proper procedures were put in place regarding the communication and consultation with the families and residents throughout the entire process of the proposed closure of the Rosalie Home in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon by the HSE.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

                SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED that a letter be sent to the Minister of Health, Mr. Simon Harris T.D. to intervene in the closure of the Rosalie Home and that he reverses the decision of the HSE with immediate effect.

A copy of this letter is to be sent to the leader of Fianna Fáil, Mr. Micheal Martin T.D. to withdraw his support for this present Government unless this decision is reversed by the Minister.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Dineen

                SECONDED by Cllr. Ward that all members in the chamber request that all Oireachtas Members, Senators and TD’s stop supporting this current Government.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

      SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED that as the Elected Members of Roscommon County Council we unanimously oppose the closure of the Rosalie Unit, Castlerea by the HSE with the backing of Mr. Jim Daly, T.D. Minister for Mental Health Services and Government.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

      SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED that we the elected members of Roscommon County Council call on the Government and Taoiseach Mr. Leo Varadkar T.D. to uphold their promise to keep the Rosalie Unit open and call on all Oireachtas members to support a Private Members Motion by Deputy Eugene Murphy to oppose the closure of the Rosalie Unit and other mental health services in county Roscommon and we call on all Senators and TDs to oppose the closure of the Rosalie Unit.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED to call on the Minister for Health Simon Harris T.D. to immediately carry out a full investigation into Roscommon Mental Health Services where many of the recommendations of the Roscommon Mental Health Services Review report have not yet been implemented and senior members of staff are reportedly now leaving the service. 

A copy of this proposal should be sent to Mr. Tony Canavan of HSE.

Cllr. Leyden stated that in that report she would like to see details on the number of people accessing these service 3 or 4 years ago, where they are now and how they are being cared for in the community which was the promise of the HSE.