Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I sincerely regret the situation that Máire Bean Uí Bheaglaíoch finds herself in. The waiting list for the long-stay places in west-Kerry community hospital is of ten people. As the Deputy knows, community nursing units and hospitals are an essential part of our social care infrastructure and will, at a certain point, be a necessary option for some older people in order to meet their healthcare needs. They play a vital role in an overall continuum of care for older people over the coming years, as our older population increases in line with demographic trends. I have visited many of them over the past few months and see the care and support people get in the community hospitals.

Community hospitals, such as west Kerry community hospital, form an integral part of the local community. The ability to hire, support and retain experienced, dedicated staff is essential to the delivery of the essential services that facilities such as west Kerry provide. The HSE has advised it is committed to ensuring, as quickly as possible, that staffing capacity is built in west Kerry and a sustainable workforce is soon in place in order that the residents of west Kerry community hospital can have access to the services they require as soon as they require them.

I will continue to engage with the Deputy and officials from my Department will continue to monitor the situation. I have requested the HSE to keep me updated on any progress.

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