Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I feel the Deputy's frustration because I feet it as well. The situation is that when those seven respite beds were opened over the last 12 months, the staffing for those seven beds were funded. I do not see any reason they were not funded last week. My understanding is that they are funded and this is the reason they were looking for agency staff to support that. As I said, I will request a meeting tomorrow to discuss this. When Deputy Connolly asked her question and when there was a media query, I was slightly at a disadvantage this afternoon. I got a written answer to questions that were submitted. At the same time, I know there are challenges with staff. In one sense, I am glad the 21 beds in St. Anne's community nursing unit were not affected but the importance of respite beds cannot be underestimated.

I do not often speak out as clearly as this but I know we have been challenged in the Galway area to get respite beds reopened since Covid. The meeting I had this afternoon with the clinical lead for older people was specifically with regard to respite beds and other issues. This was one of the areas we discussed and if the Deputy will give me a day or two to make more inquiries, I will come back to her in person.

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