Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I certainly know the importance of the nursing home. As Deputy Kelly said, I was involved in it in a previous role in a Government of which Deputy Kelly was a member. I know the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, also knows the importance of it because we want to provide more nursing home facilities across the country. There is the issue of UHL, which, again, Deputy Kelly knows very well and feels very strongly about. I did say exactly what the Deputy said - that sounds like the transcript - that I believed there should be engagement at local level between the HSE and families, staff, residents and local representatives. I am sorry to hear that this has not happened and I will follow that up with the HSE.

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