James Bannon (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I seek the Adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of local and national importance, namely, the determination by the Minister for Health and Children to close Loughloe House, Athlone, County Westmeath, with the initial reason being the findings of the Health Information and Quality Authority report which was interpreted to justify closure. Despite these findings being negatived by a positive follow-up report, the home which at the time of the first announcement of its closure accommodated 26 patients, three of whom have died since the announcement, still faces closure which is a blow to the residents. It overlooks the improved standards which include significant increases in the level of hygiene, timely and unrushed care and a homely atmosphere. It leads one to the assumption that once the HSE decides for what are blatant cost cutting motives to cut a facility, nothing will change.

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