Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I wish to share time with Deputy Stanley. I thank the Ceann Comhairle for allowing me to raise the issue of the closure of Abbeyleix Community Hospital. I wish to condemn the decision that has been made in this regard. The decision is wrong and it should be reversed. The 21 patients and the 60 or so staff at Abbeyleix Community Hospital were stunned when the decision was announced yesterday. The former were obliged to contact their families and relatives to inform them of it. No one saw this decision coming and, as a result, it caused major shock. It is not necessary to close Abbeyleix Community Hospital and if the decision is the subject of a proper re-examination, then I am of the view that it will be reversed.

The HSE is moving with indecent haste in this matter. It wants to transfer the patients from their long-term home - some of them have been there for a number of years - to alternative accommodation. Many of the patients are elderly and they have become accustomed to life in the hospital. I take this opportunity to compliment the staff at the hospital on the quality of care provided there. HIQA has had no difficulty with the facility in recent times.

While the HSE has not made any announcement in respect of the 90 people who attend the day-care facility for the elderly at the hospital or those who access the speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and meals on wheels services provided there, I am concerned that when the main unit is closed these services will be discontinued next year. The matter will be the subject of a fudge until all the patients are removed from the hospital. The decision to close Abbeyleix Community Hospital is purely financial in nature; it does not relate to making savings. I am of the view that it should be revisited because there are no real savings to be made in this instance. I ask the Minister to address this matter.

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