Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

My primary focus is the health and well-being of the residents and I have to listen to what HIQA says. HIQA will deregister the building if these works are not carried out. I have to put that information on the floor of the Dáil.

Several older units at Cherry Orchard that are used for storage were reviewed. They could not be considered because they were not habitable, they were deregistered and they would require substantial work and time to bring them to a point where they were habitable and registrable.

HIQA has advised my Department that the HSE is required to undertake structural and fire safety works in the buildings. We owe the residents a duty of care and quality care, and patient safety has to come first. I know the Deputies are not disputing this for one second, given that they said so.

Many of the residents and their families visited the new site last week. Some more visited it this week. I have spoken to families. I have a constituent in Waterford who is the main contact for her uncle. She attended those meetings. I will be honest and say that communication at the outset was poor. That is why I met the national director and assistant national director to find out what was happening.

We have to put the health and safety of the residents first. They will be moved off site. They will remain in the care of the HSE and there will be none of the extra charges that are normally seen in a private nursing home. I have been assured that all medical supports currently available to the residents will follow. I will keep this matter under review. I have been contacted by several of the families and I have written back to them to explain the situation.

The Deputies asked me to put a pause to this. I will not request a pause. I have to listen to HIQA and ensure that the residents are safe.

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