Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

There will also be a lesser requirement for the concentration of long-stay beds in the Killarney area as the future needs of north and west Kerry residents will be met in the new units.

The reduction in bed numbers in St. Columbanus will be effected as beds become vacant during 2009. Movement in the home will be minimised and the wishes and requirements of the patients on the ward will be taken into account during the process.

This is an unsettling time for all residents of Heatherside and St. Columbanus. We owe them a duty of care and must ensure our primary focus is on each one of them. Each hospital, each local health office, managers, clinicians and others working in the health services have a responsibility to ensure they strive to provide the best possible service to patients and other clients of our health services. I am confident the executive will continue to work with the residents, their families and representatives to ensure they are relocated to the facilities which will best meet their needs.

See this speech in context