James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)

-----the people in this situation. It upsets them more than needs be.

On Deputy Flanagan's questions, the HSE is a provider and commissioner of services. On the long term care issue, I will look into the position in regard to the unit in Portlaoise. As I understand it, beds in the Mountmellick unit will be staffed by the staff freed up as a result of the closure of the other facilities.

There appears to be some misinformation about. Using the 2006 census, the requirement in terms of the number of beds recommended for over 65s is 4.5%. This means there needs to be 45 beds per thousand for people aged over 65. This means there should be 744 long term care beds in the Laois-Offaly area. There are currently approximately 790 beds, public and private, excluding Shaen Hospital and the Abbeyleix Community Nursing Home in the area.

We will use all the facilities open to us. We want people to be cared for in modern conditions of a standard of which we can be proud while equally respecting people's right to stay together based on the relationships they have formed. Staff at Shaen Hospital will also have the option of moving so that there will be minimal disruption to patients.

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