Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, for taking this Topical Issue. We are revisiting the question of nursing homes in County Laois. I want to deal directly with the nursing homes in Abbeyleix, Shaen and Mountmellick. More than two years ago a campaign was started to save Abbeyleix and Shaen hospitals. In the intervening period we have organised marches, petitions and meetings with Ministers in an effort to resolve the issues arising. On 9 December 2011 the HSE wrote to the relatives of patients stating that the HSE's decision to revoke its earlier decision to close the Abbeyleix unit was intended to enable a consultation process regarding the potential closure of the nursing homes. A long and protracted consultation process took place after that letter was issued and it was finally completed in August 2012. The Minister of State confirmed at that stage that all relevant documentation, information and submissions were presented to the designated officer in the HSE, who was to formulate recommendations for submission to the Department of Health. We were led to believe that once these recommendations had been submitted a decision would be made prior to Christmas. The Minister for Health was expected to make an announcement in advance of that date. Several other dates came and went on which announcements were expected regarding Abbeyleix and Shaen.

On 30 April the Minister of State noted in reply to a parliamentary question that the recommendations were being considered by the Minister and that it was anticipated an announcement would be made shortly in respect of both facilities. Nothing has happened in this regard. Government sources were letting it be known in the constituency that a decision would be made before the summer recess but that did not happen either.

According to HIQA, capacity for up to 34 beds is to be approved in Abbeyleix. The occupancy figure has fallen well below 20. The picture in Shaen is similar. I am concerned that the Department and the HSE is deliberately reducing the number of patients in each of these facilities in order to make them look uneconomical because the staff-patient ratio will result in a cost per patient that is high enough to justify their closure.

St. Joseph's ward in Mountmellick nursing home was closed during the term of the last Fianna Fáil Government. It is a modern facility which needs to be brought back into use for the growing number of elderly patients in the county. Patients and their families have been anxiously waiting. The hospital committees, which are very supportive, have also been waiting anxiously waiting. The staff are looking for answers. I cannot get an answer as a local representative even though I have been told repeatedly that the issue will be addressed. We should be getting certainty after waiting two years.

See this speech in context