Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The HSE has assured me that patient welfare is a priority for staff and management, which none of us doubts, and has expressed its deep appreciation of the support the hospitals receive from families and the wider community. Both of these facilities are held in high esteem. The HSE acknowledges the concerns expressed on this subject in recent days and apologises to residents and their families for any inconvenience and will work to ensure there is minimum disruption to normal services during this interim arrangement. It is important to note there is no negative impact on existing staffing numbers whilst this interim safety arrangement is in place at both hospitals. Representatives of hospital management are available at all times to residents and their families to discuss any matters of concern to them. They assure me they will continue to work closely with staff representatives to bring both units back to full operating capacity.

My Department will monitor the situation carefully and I have asked the HSE to keep me directly updated on progress. Another factor that has contributed to the temporary closure in St. Patrick's is the structural issues associated with the building, which I acknowledge do not meet the standards one would expect to find in a modem nursing home. Deputy McGrath and I have discussed this before. A replacement for St. Patrick's is, like Dungarvan, included in the five-year capital investment programme for public nursing homes announced last year.

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