Madam, - I would like to compliment The Irish Timeson its continuing interest in, and thorough investigation of, the decision-making process with regard to the unexpected closure and equally abrupt re-opening of the Balseskin reception centre for asylum-seekers.
In addition to the excellent report by Martin Wall in your Health Supplementof November 21st, your readers should be informed of two important details. Firstly, the initiative to close the centre went well beyond the stage of "giving consideration to transferring the centre to the HSE".
In fact the Ministry of Justice ordered the closure of the centre by July 21st and all 260 residents, including many school-going children and 25 asylum-seekers suffering from complex medical and/or psychological conditions, had to be housed or hospitalised elsewhere at only three weeks' notice - a move that caused even more human misery and was of great nuisance to all involved. When I visited the Centre on July 24th, it was deserted except for some administrative staff and a single nurse.
Balseskin officially reopened on October 4th and two new wings are currently being added to provide accommodation for long-stay residents.
Also, please note that the doctors who raised the alarm in protest against the closure of a well-run public service while the Dáil was in recess were community health doctors (previously known as area medical officers) rather than public health doctors.
Community health doctors are currently working to extend and enhance health screening, vaccinations and referral services in the area of social inclusion, which includes Travellers and asylum-seekers.
I look forward to further top-quality coverage of the issues at stake. - Yours, etc,
Dr ETY SCHUURMANS, Principal Medical Officer Community Health Department, PCCC Directorate, HSE Dublin Mid-Leinster, Naas, Co Kildare.