James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

Suggesting that they are fine facilities when one is a 1932-built sanatorium beggars belief. Fine people are working there and fine people are being cared for there. However, to describe the facility as fine is stretching imagination and HIQA would take a very different view. In answer to Deputy Kelleher, I say that we all know why we have the crisis we have. Abbeyleix Community Nursing Home provides continuing care, day care and respite services to people in Laois, Offaly and bordering areas of Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary and Kildare. While it might suit the purposes of the Deputies opposite to say it is closing, it is not closing. The long-term residential bed element is moving, but the day-care services are staying and will indeed be expanded.

St. Brigid's Hospital, Shaen, Portlaoise, is a two-storey building that was originally opened as a TB sanatorium in 1932 and is now a 28-bed residential community nursing unit with two respite beds.

The Health Service Executive is facing major challenges across all services owing to a reduction in funding allocation. This, together with staff losses as a result of the public sector moratorium and the anticipated loss of staff between now and the end of the year make it essential that it move to consolidate the overall provision of long stay care within the Dublin and mid-Leinster region.

The HSE has also advised that the physical infrastructures of both facilities are totally unsuitable for a modern service. It believes that without a rebuild it would not be possible to provide adequate care for the residents at these locations.

Taking all these factors together, the HSE took the decision to proceed with closure of both facilities. The HSE is committed to a full and meaningful consultation process with the residents and families through this difficult time. It will also consult and communicate with staff, public representatives and key people in the wider community. Staff will be transferred to reopen beds and-or prevent the closure of other public beds resulting from moratorium losses in the area. The HSE will ensure this transition process is managed professionally for the residents. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to them and to ensure that long term relationships with fellow residents and staff will be maintained to the greatest extent possible. In addition, liaison persons have been appointed to support the residents through the process.

I would like to assure the Deputies that no service users will be placed in a more costly financial position in terms of their care. In regard to the other services provided at Abbeyleix CNU, I can confirm that the day care service will continue to cater for the needs of the 90 clients, approximately 24 per day, who use the service and there are plans to further enhance this service in the future. Respite service for the current eight clients at Abbeyleix will continue. However, it is intended that this service will transfer to a private provider following consultation with the families concerned.

I can also assure the House that the primary care centre located on the grounds of the Abbeyleix facility will also continue in line with the HSE primary care strategy. The changes to service I have outlined will help to ensure that the HSE achieves the highest standards of care for all residents affected.

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