Seán Kyne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge Mr. Gloster's comments on that. My colleague Councillor Eileen Mannion has been to the fore in terms of communication. There was a good process of communication and paused closures during holiday periods. Staff were moved when St. Anne's nursing home needed them. The communication lapsed after Christmas.

It is important that there would be communication and that people would know what is going on.

There is a commitment in the national service plan to provide primary care services to nursing home residents. It states that the HSE will continue to implement a new model of care specifically aimed at nursing home residents to ensure equity of access for the entire population. The HSE would provide aids and appliances to residents in nursing homes as per their assessed need for equipment to support the delivery of safe care. Could Mr. Gloster indicate what has been undertaken to fulfil this commitment? Could he assure the committee and Nursing Homes Ireland that this policy is in place or will be in place throughout the country?