Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)

In my constituency the same issue has arisen because some of my constituents also avail of respite care in Cherry Orchard Hospital. For example, a constituent contacted me regarding his 91 year old father, who lives with the family of one of his children and is cared for on a full-time basis. He is extremely feeble and needs full-time care. Members of the family need to carry him up and down the stairs each day. The one lifesaver for the family has been that every few weeks they get a few days respite care in Cherry Orchard Hospital. They recently got a phone call from the HSE advising that this service would be discontinued from the end of May until there is a change regarding the budget.

A recent report in The Irish Times indicated that 24 families are similarly affected. As Deputy Upton has said the people affected by this have very high needs and are extremely vulnerable. They could end up in long-term hospital care if something goes wrong. It is putting severe strain on their families who have other issues to deal with. The family I am talking about has other family members who are sick and the issue is causing them considerable stress. They are willing to care for their parent at home and are saving the State considerable money — probably at least €1,000 per week. This and other cutbacks by the HSE are hitting the most vulnerable people of all. It is vital for the Minister to make alternative arrangements or else ensure the 12 beds in Cherry Orchard Hospital are immediately reopened.

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