Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

We have had a situation in St. Conlon's in Nenagh. A new unit was built to accommodate the 23 patients out of St. Conlon's. We recently have had a lot of controversy and it has become very contentious and divisive because of the HSE's decision to take that unit over as a step-down facility for UHL. What is the rationale behind that? The patients and staff of St. Conlon's are extremely annoyed. The public of Nenagh are agitated in relation to it. What is the logic and the rationale?

We were also told last Saturday at a public demonstration by Deputy Kelly, who is a local TD in the area, that decision would be overturned. Can the Minister tell me what progress Deputy Kelly and others have made in overturning that decision? I would like to see it overturned also. I would support that effort but I would like to know what is the rationale behind it? What is the possibility of transferring part of the facility? I put forward a compromise proposal that the top floor would be used for St. Conlon's and the bottom floor would be used as a step-down for Limerick.

Could I also ask about the Dean Maxwell community nursing unit? What progress has been made? I am happy with the progress that has been made in relation to the purchase of Mount Carmel. I am liaising between the HSE-----