Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)

This is the first chance I have had publicly to congratulate Deputy Kathleen Lynch on her appointment as Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children and, similarly, to congratulate Deputy Dinny McGinley on his appointment as Aire Stáit comh maith.

In the past decade there has been a major investment in the provision of new facilities for the elderly in County Cavan. That investment resulted in the provision of new nursing units for the elderly in Ballyconnell and Virginia with bed capacity, respectively, of 30 and 50. Alongside those units new primary care centres were developed as well. The third HSE nursing unit in County Cavan is St. Joseph's at Lisdaran on the campus of Cavan General Hospital.

I know many of the staff working in all the units and, similarly, over the years I have known many patients availing of the services in those units. Likewise, I know and have known many families who very much appreciate the excellent and professional care and attention their loved ones received in those units. I strongly commend and appreciate the work of all HSE staff involved in providing services for older people in Cavan-Monaghan.

There is widespread concern in County Cavan about the future use of the Lisdaran unit. There are currently 44 patients in the unit and six of the beds are used for respite care. With State investment it has been possible through upgrading of facilities to provide additional patient comforts and enhance the quality of patient care. The Lisdaran unit plays a critical role in the care of the elderly in my county. It is necessary to make maximum use of the unit. There can be no reduction in the level of service provided in the nursing unit. I seek an assurance from the Minister that there will be no reduction in the level of services or bed capacity of the Lisdaran unit. Making the maximum use of the nursing unit will contribute to the HSE's own goal of optimising the provision of quality care.

The families who have loved ones being cared for to a very high standard in the Lisdaran unit seek an assurance on its future and the level of services to be provided there. Similarly, all the staff deserve to know the exact position.

I commend all involved on delivering a highly professional and excellent standard of care to patients in the nursing units to which I referred. I reiterate the importance of the unit for so many patients and their families in County Cavan.

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