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

The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. It is clear this is what older people want and only those in genuine need of residential care should go down that route, which is why services such as day care, meals on wheels and the availability of respite facilities are so important. I agree with each of the Deputies who have spoken on this issue in that regard.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services, including those at facilities such as Raheen community nursing unit and Regina House community nursing unit. Both centres are registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority. The services provided at these units are a vital part of the supports for older people that allow them to maintain their independence and quality of life in a way that meets their own wishes. Raheen community nursing unit, which was originally a private house, has been used since 1973 to provide services for older people in south-east Clare. The centre can accommodate up to 25 residents, including 15 long-stay places and ten short-stay beds comprising respite, palliative care and rehabilitation beds. There are supported living units in the grounds of the building. Raheen community nursing unit also provides day care for up to 20 people on weekdays. Regina House community nursing unit, which opened in 1972 as a welfare house, is now a residential centre for older people and is also registered with HIQA for up to 30 residents. There is a separate day care service for older people in the adjoining building which caters for up to 25 people from the local community on weekdays.

On the temporary closures, and people need to realise it is a temporary closure, of the day centres at Raheen and Regina House community nursing units, the Health Service Executive has confirmed that these are not influenced by the availability of financial resources. The decision to close the facilities temporarily was because of the unavailability of nursing staff over the next number of weeks. The contributory factors are annual leave, sick leave and the unavailability of agency staff. I stress this is a short-term measure for a couple of weeks only. I recognise the primary responsibility is to provide safe care to the residents of the units and to ensure the availability of access to respite residential services for the elderly population in the area. The HSE is committed to restoring the day care services at both centres as soon as possible. Every effort will be made to minimise disruption to service users. If any person using the services has particular difficulties, I urge them to contact Raheen or Regina House community nursing units directly and the HSE will do everything in its power to support him or her.

It is worthy of explanation to note that the difficulty in respect of nursing staff and the unavailability of nurses is not just in this area. We have considerable difficulties in other areas. As both centres are registered with HIQA, it is incumbent on us to stay within the guidelines set down by it. We have a difficulty recruiting a range of nursing staff, particularly nurses who work in psychiatric services and in the area of care for the elderly. They are not seen as the most attractive areas in which to nurse, although I often find it can be the most rewarding. Services such as this one provide, as the Deputies have already said, an invaluable service.

The reason for the late notice is the HSE was, until the last minute, trying desperately to recruit agency nurses. Even they are not available. I think it has something to do with the time of the year. Along with everything else, nurses within the agency sector are usually young and are off doing different things at this time of the year. It is not something we are letting rest. We will endeavour to put the service back as quickly as possible. I appeal to people to have a little patience but I understand fully the difficulties in which it places families.

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