Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. Apart from it being within my own remit, I know something about this particular community nursing home in Inchicore because Deputy Catherine Byrne is continually raising the matter. There is concern in the area as to how a state-of-the-art building - which cost €10 million, not €12 million, although it is a substantial figure - could remain closed.

The Government is committed to ensuring that patients receive the highest standard of care in the appropriate settings, be they acute, community or residential. As the Deputy is aware, these are challenging times for the Health Service Executive in respect of all services. In the case of community nursing units, these include challenges regarding staffing, funding and the age and structure of its units. In this regard, all developments have to be addressed in light of current economic and budgetary pressures. Any decision taken by the HSE must have regard to this and the current recruitment moratorium, which is significant concerning this particular unit.

The 50-bed community nursing unit at the former St. Michael's estate in Inchicore was planned as one of a network of units across the Dublin mid-Leinster region to address the projected demand for future long-term care provision. The public sector moratorium has severely limited the HSE's ability to commission new staff-intensive services and this has delayed the commissioning and opening of the Inchicore facility.

During 2012, the HSE proposed to move staff and patients from St. Brigid's Hospital, Crooksling to Inchicore thereby allowing for the closure of the older unit at St. Brigid's Hospital. However, having regard to the wishes of the patients at St. Brigid's Hospital and the need to maximise the level of service provision in the region, it was decided to maintain services at Crooksling and to explore alternative proposals for the Inchicore unit. I am sure the Deputy was involved in that as well.

In light of the public sector moratorium and significant additional reductions in staff numbers required over the next two years, one option being pursued is that of a public private partnership agreement. The HSE has successfully used this model to open a 100-bed unit for older persons at Ballincollig, County Cork. This unit delivers real cost benefits and value to the system which would not be possible through direct employment. It also deals creatively with the moratorium.

The current position is that a project team has been appointed within the HSE to progress this project, including representatives from general management, human resources, finance and procurement. A detailed draft specification has been prepared on the service requirement for the Inchicore unit, to be used in the tendering process with the preferred provider panel.

In addition, a detailed briefing note and associated documentation is being finalised at present in preparation for an engagement with the relevant trade unions in line with the requirements under the public sector agreement. The engagement with the unions, which must be completed before proceeding to tender stage, will commence shortly. Once the tender process commences, the HSE anticipates that a tender should be awarded within three months. The Inchicore building has been used by HSE services until recently and these services have been relocated in preparation for its opening as a community nursing home. I know this will be welcomed by the Deputy.

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