Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister for his reply. With regard to the age of the Abbeyleix facility, the Mater Hospital is hundreds of years old and remains a fine facility. The Minister may not be aware that in recent weeks renovations have been carried out to the facility at Abbeyleix. I stand over what I said. These are fine facilities, both of which have been providing good care for people. I ask the Minister to meet with Members from the area and representatives of the staff to discuss the reasons for closure and how we can rescue this situation. Also, I want him to overturn this appalling decision until such time as this issue has been worked out, thus ensuring these facilities remain open.

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