'Everything about it is fantastic' - praise for new Waterford mental health facility
Government Chief Whip and Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health Mary Butler TD arriving to officially opening Seabreeze, the HSE’s new high-support community residence in Dungarvan.
Councillors in Dungarvan have praised the work of staff and the HSE in opening Seabreeze.
Seabreeze is a state-of-the-art, high-support residential mental health facility on Youghal Road.
At the March sitting of the Dungarvan-Lismore Council District Cllr Damien Geoghegan recognised the HSE for opening the facility.
“I want to say it is a phenomenal asset to the community and everything about it is fantastic - the staff, everything,” said Cllr Geoghegan.
Cllr Geoghegan also recognised the work of the Minister for State with responsibility for mental health, Mary Butler, and the staff from Springmount House, which Seabreeze replaces.
“And the staff that was there before the development of Seabreeze at Springmount House on the ground of the community hospital in Dungarvan deserve enormous credit.
"The work they do with the most vulnerable in our community is phenomenal, and the work they do in our community is phenomenal. They deserve all of our praise and thanks.
"A job well done," said Cllr Geoghegan.
The facility consists of two blocks of 10-ensuite single bedrooms and two apartments with an adjoining third block of communal facilities and offices.
The €6.4 million project replaces the accommodation at Springmount House on the grounds of the Dungarvan Community Hospital.
It was officially opened on February 28 and was nominated in the healthcare category of the Building and Design Awards 2025.
Cllr John Pratt said he agreed with Cllr Geoghegan.
“It was a lovely event. It is a beautiful facility, and the staff and the people staying there were so happy, to see them on the day, you know they are happy where they are; it's home to them. It was phenomenal and a lovely, lovely event,” said Cllr Pratt.
