Plans to transfer the facility were put on hold last month.
The future of a Laois mental health facility remains unclear, with a HSE report yet to be finalised.
Plans to transfer the Erkina House service in Rathdowney to a new facility in Tullamore were put on hold last month, until a full consulTation process is completed.
The HSE argues the Laois facility is no longer suitable for modern mental health provision, with structural issues with the building and the rural location behind the proposed transfer.
Sinn Féin TD for Laois-Offaly, Brian Stanley has been appealing to Junior Health Minister Mary Butler in the Dáil to bring the existing centre up to standard and avoid any further disruption to the residents:
READ MORE: Government TD Admits Mistakes Were Made In Handling Of Erkina House
Speaking in the Dáil this morning, Deputy Stanley admitted that Erkina House is an old building and could understand the need for structural upgrades.
He implored the minister to make use of disability grants and other such funding streams to make the necessary upgrades.
The Sinn Féin rep referred to the service - which opened in Rathdowney town centre 26 years - as the "best practice" in mental healthcare in the "perfect location".
The proposed transfer 60 kilometres away to Silver Lodge on the Arden Road, Tullamore "is not the silver bullet they're talking about" in Deputy Stanley's view, especially given Silver Lodge does not have the space for all therapeutic services.
In response, Minister Mary Butler noted that the Erkina residents were accommodated in dormitory style bedrooms.
The facility contained 17 beds before the pandemic, when it was reduced to 11, and then increased again to 12 in 2021.
The shared bedroom and bathroom facilities are not suitable in mental healthcare, according to Minister Butler.
She added that she was very disappointment to see the matter emerged in the public domain back in April before the residents or she herself were fully informed.
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