Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Has a letter been sent to public health nurses stating that there is an embargo and asking them to cut home help hours? The letter to which I refer is clear; it issued last week to a person who is in a hospital bed and whose family is trying to get the person home. I have no problem deleting the names of the parties involved and sending a copy to the Minister of State. The letter was issued by the HSE. The Minister of State is speaking out of both sides of his mouth. The letter clearly states that those people will not be getting a home help service. The individual is still in hospital as a result of that decision, but the Minister of State is stating that it is not an issue and that the letter might be 12 months old. The fact is that the person cannot go home because there is no home help service available. There are similar situations across the country, but I can only speak to that which obtains in Cork South-West and on behalf of the individuals who have come to me. Is the Minister of State indicating that the HSE has not issued letters to public health nurses telling them that there is an embargo and to cut the original hours? Is he denying that as well?

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