Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I will deal with those issues first. I understand that the report was received by the health authorities last autumn and that it was very critical and raised serious issues. All those points that the Deputy has raised are correct.

On the first part of the Deputy's question, I repeat the Government's concern at the situation in the Leas Cross nursing home. The nursing home has been monitored by Health Service Executive staff during the last three weeks, as it was in the period prior to that. The primary concern remains patient safety and the level and standards of care. The HSE has therefore decided to move the public patients and those in receipt of subvention out of Leas Cross nursing home. The executive will consult relatives concerning the movement of patients from the home and will take into account the needs of individual patients. Relatives have their concerns which they have been expressing on the airwaves as well as to the HSE.

The executive will consult private patients in the home on its concerns regarding patient safety, the overall level of patient care and the need for alternative arrangements. The decision to move the patients has been taken following a detailed assessment by the HSE since the time I last reported to the House on this matter. This detailed assessment of the care situation took place over recent weeks and was carried out by a dedicated team, including a geriatrician. That is why the executive has made this decision and is considering action to take the nursing home off the register.

While I understand the points made by the Deputy are correct, I cannot answer his question about the publication of the report. We must take legal advice in this regard. The HSE is taking immediate steps to evaluate the current inspection procedures to ensure there will be a national approach to these issues. A review has already commenced in the eastern region and that will be included in the national process.

See this speech in context