Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I asked the people in charge of older care and they reassured me by telephone. However, I wrote to them and they did not reply in writing. That is why there are worries. I want to allay fears; not create them. I thank the people who contacted me. They have the interests of the people of Carrick-on-Suir and the surrounding area in County Waterford and into County Kilkenny at heart. I thank them for contacting me and I praise the staff. Thankfully, the HIQA report was good. It is a wonderful institution but it is flat on the ground. I did not mention St. Anthony's, which is linked to St. Patrick’s. It is also a wonderful institution that deals with dementia care, people with Alzheimer's and acute cases. Cashel is not moving fast enough, however.

The Minister of State referred to the 2016 capital plan but it is almost 2019 and no planning has been applied for. She said works will start in 2020 or next year. We want to see that work start. It is not fair to the nursing staff, care staff and the doctor who are all dedicated. Dr. Willie Ryan has retired and we have a new doctor whom I wish well. We were lucky to get him and there were worries about that as well. There should not be scares on this. We should have the plan and proceed with it.

For that matter, St. Theresa's Hospital, Clogheen is short approximately €70,000 from the Department for its extension. I appeal to the Minister of State to allow the hospital to finish that extension. We need step-down facilities to take pressure off St. Joseph's in Clonmel, South Tipperary General Hospital, Waterford and all the other acute regional hospitals. We need the step-down facilities and not to have fears around them. I am, therefore, thankful that the Minister of State has said on the record that the HSE has informed her that it will not close St. Brigid's Hospital but I am disappointed it is not included in the five-year capital programme while the hospice suite is relatively new. A lot of funding was provided locally for that. St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel, St. Brigid's Hospital, Carrick-on-Suir and St. Theresa's Hospital, Clogheen, are badly needed and I pay tribute to the staff in them. They do tremendous work. However, people are crying out when they get their hips done. The Government calls them bed blockers but they have no place to go for physiotherapy or respite care before or after operations. We need certainty around these facilities. There is no point talking about €17 billion in the HSE when there are issues like this. Above all is the madness of keeping Our Lady's in Cashel closed when other hospitals are under pressure. It is a state-of-the-art facility in which €21.5 million has been invested. It is a concern.

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