Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

I thank Deputies Collins, Daly and Boyd Barrett for raising this issue.

I will read from some of the text that has been circulated. The Government's response to HIV and AIDS is led by the National AIDS Strategy Committee, NASC, which is an advisory group to the Minister and was set up in 1991 to address the emerging AIDS crisis. Membership of the committee includes officials from the Department of Health and the Health Service Executive, representatives of NGOs and other Government Departments. In addition to HIV, the committee has also taken on an advisory role with regard to sexually transmitted infections, STIs. The NASC published its first report in 1992, and followed up in 2000 with the production of the AIDS Strategy 2000 document, which is still the policy from which Ireland operates in relation to HIV and AIDS.

Last year there were 331 new HIV diagnoses which represents a 16% decrease compared to 2009 when 395 new cases were diagnosed. Recent figures published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre show that the category of men who have sex with men is now the predominant mode of transmission in Ireland. While this overall decrease in new HIV cases is very welcome we must continue to focus on effective preventative measures to address this trend. Government policy is that appropriate treatment is made available free of charge to all who test positive for HIV at the various statutory centres that provide HIV and STI services throughout the country.

In regard to the Rowan Ward, it was established in 1990 in response to a number of clients who suffered from AIDS and AIDS-related disorders. Since that time there have been very considerable advances in the treatment of HIV and AIDS. The Rowan Ward has in recent years evolved into a facility providing socialrespite care to what is now, thankfully, a static group of people living with HIV. Of the 18 beds available, three people living with HIV have become long-stay residents of the unit. This facility is based on the campus of Cherry Orchard Hospital, which primarily provides long-term care to the local elderly population.

I advise the Deputy that in the short time available to me to look into this matter, I was told that the HSE is currently reviewing all services on the Cherry Orchard campus in the context of the current economic pressures and the existing moratorium on recruitment of additional nursing staff. The review will explore if services currently being provided by the Rowan unit could be provided more effectively in a different setting, taking into account the needs of the people currently using this social respite service. No decision will be made on the Rowan Ward until the review is completed. However, whatever decision is taken, the residents of the Rowan Ward will continue to receive appropriate quality care.

I thank the Deputies for bringing this matter to my attention. I was not aware that this was on the cards. I have had some difficulty in getting a definitive answer from the HSE in the past hour or so that I have been in a position to pursue the matter.

While this is a service matter for the HSE, I am very dissatisfied with the extent and the quality of the information that has been available to me. I had hoped to be in a position to provide more detailed information and to share it with the Deputies this afternoon. Unfortunately, that information was not forthcoming. My intention now is to establish the facts surrounding what is a rumour about the future of this unit. I want to know whether the unit is to remain in use and, if so, the plans for it. In the event that any question arises about the closing of this unit on the basis that it is not suitable for one reason or another or cannot remain in existence, I want clear information about suitable and appropriate alternative accommodation for the long-stay residents who are there at the moment and an assurance that there will be a facility which will be able to cater for any future demand in this regard.

In regard to the issue of respite care, if a decision is taken on the basis of the review that I am told is under way, replacement beds will have to be made available for those people in the unit who predominantly are people who have difficulties in regard to homelessness and addiction, who are being catered for at present, which provides respite for themselves and for their families. I will seek an assurance that suitable alternative accommodation will be made available.

I regret that I am not in a position to provide more detailed information to the Deputies and I thank them for bringing this matter to my attention.

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