Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I once again take the opportunity to apologise on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for mental health and older people, Deputy Jim Daly, and acknowledge the case made by the Deputy. We may have political differences but everybody in the House acknowledges the needs of older people and those with mental problems, as well as the underprivileged and vulnerable. This certainly comes into that category. I will certainly convey everything the Deputy has said to both the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, and the Minister, Deputy Harris, who has a particular interest in this hospital.

The Minister and the HSE recognise that Cashel health campus is vital for the provision of community based services that help people to stay in their communities and homes and that assist those people who require emergency department hospital admission to be discharged as early as possible from acute care back to their home environment. While the campus is being used for day and primary care services, the additional funding provided this year as part of the winter measures to improve access to unscheduled care will form a basis to allow local services to further develop an action plan for a range of services to support older people in the south Tipperary area. This will help both to avoid hospital admission in the first instance and also to facilitate early discharge should a stay in an acute hospital be necessary.

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