Confirming the news, local Fine Gael Senator Cathal Byrne said that the move was the result of a long-running campaign and positive meetings with the Tánaiste and Minister for Mental Health Mary Butler.
“I’m delighted that the Minister has chosen to include the 10 Bed mental health unit for Wexford in the Capital Plan,” he said.
“It’s been a long campaign to get to this point. Indeed, I most recently raised it with Tánaiste Simon Harris on his visit to Wexford General Hospital earlier this month.
“Today, for the first time, we see it acknowledged as a Ministerial priority on page 34 of the plan, this is in response to ongoing campaigning at the highest level, to have necessary mental services in place for the people of Wexford.”
Senator Byrne also acknowledged the work of award-winning mental health advocate and Wexford Independent Alliance councillor Raymond Shannon.
“I’ve raised this issue consistently and directly with Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeill, as well as with Minister Mary Butler on several occasions in Seanad Éireann over the last 12 months, since being elected,” he said.
“However, credit is also due to people like Cllr Raymond Shannon who have campaigned for many years to have this service for Wexford. It is important that as a collective we recognise the power of working together to deliver important projects for Wexford.”
Senator Byrne acknowledged that this is the first step in a process, but said “the fact that the commitment is there in writing now means we can continue to push for delivery for the people of Wexford”.
Housing Minister James Browne was also delighted with the news, having engaged with his party colleague Minister Butler on the matter for some time.
“As a former spokesperson for Mental Health, I campaigned tirelessly for a unit to be embedded in the work by the HSE in Wexford,” he said. “It’s absolutely essential. Now working closely on this with Minister Mary Butler, I have secured ministerial commitment in the new HSE capital plan to include a 10 bed unit for Wexford. I will now push for this to be progressed at pace – because we cannot wait much longer and I have impressed the matter as badly needed for the county at the highest level.
“The commitment at this stage is for a ten bed specialist community mental health unit for Wexford, but I will be pressing for the absolute best care and the most beds as suitable to our needs here at the highest levels to be secured, and I will leave no stone unturned in this, let me be very clear.”
Minister Browne described the topic as being of “huge personal importance” to himself and many families across Co Wexford.
Housing Minister James Browne
“Mental health care is something that requires sensitive, considered and specialist support and Wexford deserves that available here as near to people as is possible, and quickly under the course of this capital plan. I am determined that it is delivered, and my work so far has ensured it gets the attention it needs. There will be no let up.”
During the course of his recent visit to Wexford General Hospital, Tánaiste Simon Harris stated that there was an “acute need” for improved mental health services in Wexford and vowed to raise the matter directly with his government colleague, Minister Butler.
He also vowed to look at some of the issues that had plagued service provision within Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Wexford.
Speaking after the Tánaiste’s visit, Cllr Shannon stated that “it’s a long way down the road yet”, while noting that over 1,300 people had attended Wexford General Hospital’s emergency department with mental health issues last year.