Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputies. Deputy Murphy stated he did not trust the clinical review. Unfortunately, it is not in my gift to override a clinician's decision. We have to accept the word of the medical authority who makes the decision on this matter. However, to assuage any fears people may have I requested the HSE to ask the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland to do an independent review of the decision in case anybody believes decisions have been taken behind closed doors. That is not the case. The best needs of the current residents are my foremost priority.

The future use of the unit is also a top priority for me. I have been consistent, as was the Taoiseach when he was Minister for Health and my predecessor, that this unit will continue to provide care for people in the area and play a vital role in that regard. However, if clinicians tell me that the current residents' care is better served elsewhere, we have to deal with that. They are two separate issues that are not tied together. If some of the current residents need to be moved to a better facility, we have to do that. The same would apply to my mum or dad, if either of them was diagnosed with dementia and I was told one or the other would have to leave the home they have both lived in for the past 50 years and go to a care facility to receive better care. Nobody wants to do that but I do not have the authority to override any clinician and tell him or her I know better. With respect, no politician has the authority to do that. We have to respect the clinical judgment appropriate to each individual resident of the unit.

My commitment to the future use of this unit is absolute. We are not in a space where we can afford to close beds when there is great demand for social care and acute beds. As the Deputies are aware, there is a strong demand for services to address later life issues. Given the level of demand for beds in the system, the closure of the beds in the Rosalie unit is not a conversation I am willing to entertain with anybody. However, I have to consider the best needs of the residents, which is a separate issue from the future use of the unit. I want to have that conversation with public representatives and involve them in the future use of this facility to which we are committed. We will ensure that the high regard in which it is held continues and it is put to the most appropriate use possible.

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