Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen to discuss three petitions regarding HSE Closure of Vital Health Services in Galway, Cork and Tipperary

The meeting at 1.30pm in Committee Room 4 of Leinster House will discuss:

• Public Petition Number P00020/23 ‘The Concerned Citizens Group call on the HSE to immediately re-open the existing purpose-built Seven Springs Day Centre for use by the people of Loughrea and Surrounding Catchment Area.’ from Mr Mattie Quinn, with representative from the Loughrea Concerned Citizens Group, Ms Anna Cronin;
• Public Petition Number P00042/21 ‘Saving the services of the Owenacurra Centre, Midleton, east Cork’ from Ms Joanna Curtis;  
• Public Petition Number P00048/21 ‘Save St Brigid’s Hospital’ from Mr David Dunne with representatives from Save St Brigid’s Action Group, Ms Susan Mullins and Mr Seamus Healy.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Martin Browne said: “While the Committee has discussed the petitions regarding saving vital health services at Owenacurra in Midleton and St Brigid’s in Carrick-on-Suir, this will be the first time Members hear the petition to save services in Loughrea.

“The Concerned Citizens Group Loughrea petition signed by approximately 2,500 people seeks the full-time reopening of the purpose built Seven Springs Day Care Centre which was closed during Covid and which was only re-opened for one day per week since August 2022. Members look forward to hearing from all three groups regarding their petitions.

“The Committee will also examine petitions regarding on ‘Kiltimagh Water Scheme’, ‘Save Clifden District Hospital’, ‘Undocumented Migrants Housed without Consultation’ and ‘Guarantee the European legal standards for all Irish citizens in all European states’.”

The Joint Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen is a standing Committee of the Houses of the Oireachtas and has 11 Members, seven from the Dáil and four from the Seanad.

The meeting in the Committee Room 4 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.