Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

With the closure of an additional 12 beds in Ballina together with the closure of 60 beds that has previously been announced, a total of 72 beds will be closed in homes and community care facilities in County Mayo. I do not know whether the Minister of State fully understands the geography of the county, which is the third largest in the State. The facilities are arranged in a way to provide services. Unfortunately, many people cannot be cared for in their homes and they need the services delivered by staff who go beyond the call of duty every day.

Will there be further reductions in Ballina? At the end of January, what are the chances of these beds being restored or will there be further closures? With regard to the information provided by Deputy Keaveney earlier, how much is due from health insurance companies? In fairness to the HSE, much of the debt is outstanding for less than a year and, therefore, staff seem to be getting their act together. It would be outrageous if beds for older people, no matter where they are in this country, were being closed because the HSE did not have the ability to get consultants to fill out forms properly. A total of €61 million is outstanding in HSE West, which is one of the smaller districts. Surely heads can be knocked together among HSE staff, insurance companies and consultants to return the money that is owing rather than closing beds in St. Joseph's or elsewhere in the community and nursing home sector in County Mayo.

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