Tom Sheahan (Kerry South, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to raise the issue of the closure of the Rowan male ward in St. Columbanus Home, Killarney. A total of 21 beds have been closed in the community hospital and I cannot understand why this is happening. On a weekly basis I am in contact with St. Columbanus Home trying to secure beds for elderly people in need of long-term care. It has been the case for a while that one cannot get somebody admitted to the Rowan ward, or to any ward, in St. Columbanus Home. That is euthanasia by the back door whereby the Government is closing those wards.

The fair deal scheme is being introduced under which the Government will be able to take 5% of a patient's estate over a three year period to use towards their care. With the closure of the Rowan ward, 21 beds are being closed and there have not been any admissions to that ward or to St. Columbanus Home for some time.

St. Columbanus Home has 150 beds but with this ward closure that number is reduced to 129. The concern among staff and patients, particularly those who have been there for six, seven and eight years, is that they will be moved. They have not been informed to where they will be moved. There have not been any further admissions to St. Columbanus Home but the patients who have made it their home have not been informed to where they will be moved.

I cannot understand why beds are being closed in a community hospital. The implication for my area is that people will not be able to find long-term care in a community facility. Also, what will be the implications of that on staffing numbers?

See this speech in context