Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)

I thank the Minister for her reply. Obviously, she is experiencing the same difficulties as everybody else with the HSE in trying to find out exactly what is the position in regard to this ward. I am pleased that she expressed concern about the need for this ward, the respite care that is required and the need to provide for the three long-stay patients in the ward. I ask her to contact us as soon as she hears from the HSE in regard to the matter. We do not want any changes to be made until a suitable alternative ward is made available, appropriate systems are in place and there is access for HIV-AIDS patients to respite care. I believe the Minister would agree that this is a very important service for these people who, in the most chaotic moments of their lives, need somewhere to go. This ward has been a mainstay for these people in the past. I welcome the Minister's response. I hope she will follow through on it and that the ward will not be closed unless an alternative is provided.

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