Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I thank Deputies for raising this issue. It provides me with an opportunity to update the House on this matter. St. Brigid's in Brittas, County Dublin, was established in 1959. It was originally a tuberculosis clinic which opened in 1935. There are currently 80 residents, as has been outlined by Deputies, at the facility. There is also a day centre at the front of the main building providing a service to older persons from the local community.

The HSE completed a survey of the physical infrastructure, mechanical services installations and water and drainage services at the unit and found substantial issues and deficits in these areas. It is estimated it would cost almost €3 million to carry out essential works to address these issues. However, these works would not ensure compliance with national quality standards,

The HSE decided to close St. Brigid's and transfer the majority of services to the new modern purpose built unit at Hollybrook Community Nursing Unit at Inchicore. The new CNU at Inchicore has a total capacity of 50 beds. It has not been opened to date due to the current constraints on staffing. As the capacity of the new CNU is less than that at St. Brigid's the proposal also envisages some staff and residents will transfer to other public units. This will provide the HSE with an opportunity to reopen beds that are closed at these facilities.

Selection of an alternative placement for residents will be informed by the medical and care needs of each resident as evaluated by clinical staff. It is important to emphasise that no resident will be placed in a more costly financial position because of the move. The day care services at St. Brigid's are used by approximately 18 people daily from Monday to Friday. Part of the relocation plan will include the placement of these clients in alternative day centres suitable for their needs in their local areas. Ongoing consultation will continue to take place with residents, their families, staff, representative organisations and public representatives.

I would like to reassure the House that patients in Tallaght Hospital or any other acute hospital who require long term residential care can continue to apply for financial support under the nursing homes support scheme. Once a person receives approval for financial support he or she can choose to enter any nursing home participating in the scheme in any part of the country, subject to the nursing home having an available bed and being able to cater for the person's particular needs. This applies to public, private and voluntary nursing homes alike.

Patients at Tallaght Hospital requiring residential care will be able to avail of beds at the newly purpose built CNU if and when they become available. They will also be able to avail of options from public beds that are reopened in other facilities or they may choose a bed in a private nursing home. I understand that the indicative timescale for the transfer is between three and six months.

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