Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister of State on her appointment. I have not had an opportunity to do so before now and I wish her well in that journey. It is going to be a challenging one and it is very important for us all that she succeeds. Earlier, the Minister for Health, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, mentioned the words "solidarity" and "confidence". Not too far from here, however, St. Mary's nursing home, on the Merrion Road, is being closed. The closure was announced in June and at present, 20 very vulnerable individuals with disabilities live there. Many of the residents have been there for up to 50 or 60 years. They are surrounded by friends and the staff have, effectively, become family. The staff recently received a Covid-19 hero award from the former Lord Mayor, Tom Brabazon. The nursing home is free from Covid-19.

In the middle of a pandemic and with all the issues concerning nursing homes, it seems bizarre to be closing a nursing home that is free of Covid-19. St. Mary's should not be closed but kept open and invested in. The nursing home is already 80% funded by the State and the HSE. The State must intervene and invest in these vital facilities. I was visited the nursing home on the Merrion Road today and I met the staff and residents. Several of the residents had one request, and that was for the Minister for Health to meet them. I noticed earlier that the Minister for Education and Skills met some sexual abuse survivors. I ask that the same courtesy be afforded to the residents of St. Mary's nursing home by the Minister for Health. Will the Minister meet the staff and residents of St. Mary's nursing home? It is not much to ask for and it is important that St. Mary's is funded and not closed.

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