Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the closure next week of Beeches ward, Cherry Orchard Hospital, resulting in 25 beds being closed due to cut-backs, staff holiday and maternity leave. Fifteen of these are long-term beds and ten are respite beds. These are vital services. The respite service is especially important for families who are worried about their loved ones and where they will go. The chief executive officer told me yesterday that the hospital will allocate some of the respite beds from Cherry Orchard to private nursing homes. I did not receive an answer when I asked where and when. I find it difficult to understand how in a time of cutbacks we can afford to pay for people to have respite services in private nursing homes.

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