A Cork East TD says the HSE are going against their own policy by deciding to close the Owenacurra Centre in Midleton.
Pat Buckley was speaking at an Oireachtas Health Committee meeting where he said issues surrounding the building were raised as far back as 2016.
The centre is the only long-stay adult mental health facility in East Cork, and was due to be closed last year because of apparent structural issues.
Deputy Buckley visited Owenacurra with Sinn Féin's Michelle O'Neill, but said the visit was not facilitated by the HSE.
Speaking to the committee, Pat Buckley described the situation as unacceptable:
"If you tell me that you're going to close one of the finest working centres in East Cork, that should be replicated as a pilot project, in the town, that the service is not needed. The HSE's excuse is that the building is not fit for purpose, and when these people are gone, nobody else is going to need the service - nobody else is going to get sick. To me, that is totally unacceptable. And I am bitter and angry".
