Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her reply. I am delighted with that extra funding. It is great for the care homes, as she stated. She has visited many of them, including in Carlow, Kilkenny and her home town of Waterford. I know the passion and commitment she has to ensure care homes are the life and soul of the community and that they will always have funding to keep them open. The biggest issue at the meeting to which I refer was the need to ensure sure the ten care homes in the south east are secure and that the residents and their families feel secure. They know the great work the Minister of State has done, including through working with the HSE and other agencies. I am delighted that she has announced that scheme this morning. I will certainly be letting all the care homes in my area of Carlow-Kilkenny know that they will be able to apply for this extra funding. I thank the Minister of State. That is excellent.

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