An emergency motion calling on the Health Minister Simon Harris, TD, to ring-fence funds gained from the sale of St Senans for a 24/7 mental health service in County Wexford was passed at Monday’s meeting of Wexford County Council.

The motion had been tabled by the Wexford’s five Sinn Fein councillors who said that they would not accept vague assurances from the Minister and wanted a definitive promise.

“The closure of St Senans spelled the end of any degree of adequate 24/7 mental health care in County Wexford,” Cllr Johnny Mythen said, “We are still reeling from the closure years later and no replacement service has been provided.  Instead those suffering with serious mental health issues are sent to Waterford Regional Hospital where proper care can often not be provided.”

“Sinn Fein felt it was a necessity to have this motion debated and passed by Wexford County Council to assure that the Government know that they are accountable to the people of Wexford when this sale goes through.”

Cllr Mythen’s colleague, Cllr Anthony Kelly, said that he would not have been properly representing his electorate if he had not brought this motion forward.

“Wexford is in the grip of a mental health crisis.  Selling the county’s former prime mental health facility and using the money for anything other than the provision of much needed 24/7 care would have been sacrilege and vague assurances from the Health Minister simply would not cut it.  Wexford County Council and our five TDs have a moral duty to insure that this windfall will be used for the right purposes.”