James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In response to Deputy Kelleher, we are very much interested in and open to the idea of Mount Carmel becoming a step-down facility. The HSE is looking into that. I do not like alluding to it as a step-down facility. What is envisaged if we were to purchase it is a facility that would have some transitional long-stay services but would focus more on rehabilitation and on getting people back home. If older people who are frail and become ill are in bed for even 48 or 72 hours, they can stiffen up and lose a lot of function and it takes quite a bit of effort to get them mobilised again. It can be done and in a large number of cases, people can go home and continue to live independent lives, albeit with certain supports.

The Deputy used the word "assume" and, of course, I am reminded of my son who when he was 14 explained what "assume" can do to one. It can make an ass out of you and me. We are not assuming anything. We will examine it and have very clear idea of what is involved in transposing this into the sort of facility that we feel best serves the health services' requirement to serve our citizens.

In respect of St. James's Hospital and NAMA, I must lay down a marker. The HSE has the right to negotiate in these situations - not individual hospitals. We could end up with a situation where St. James's, St. Vincent's and Tallaght have their eye on it. I know that St. James's might have had an interest in it and still does but it does not have funding to run it the way it was as a going concern. Things remain on the table from the point of view of this facility being used again as a health facility. No one hospital will have a say over how that is done or used. The HSE as a national entity and the Department of Health will determine the policy in respect of how to best serve the people of the greater Dublin area in respect of a facility of this nature - not one single hospital. I lay down that marker loud and clear, particularly given the situation we have had in respect of section 38 agencies and their non-compliance with public pay policy.

Deputy Ó Caoláin was asked about staff and how they are being supported so perhaps Mr. Carter from the HSE could give him a précis on that.