Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

At the start of April, the Minister for Health announced the new nursing unit built in Nenagh to replace St. Conlon's would be instead used for step-down beds. Families were expecting to go in there from across north Tipperary and east Clare. At the same time, the Minister announced Cahercalla nursing home would take 20 step-down beds. When Cahercalla's representatives were asked about that, they said they knew nothing about it. It is almost as if there was no forward planning in the Department of Health by the previous health Minister, whoever that was; wait a minute, that was the Taoiseach. Is there forward planning? Both units are being told this is a short-term measure for 18 months but what will happen in 18 months? Where are the plans to develop units people will go to in 18 months? The reality is these beds are being taken out of the community care sector. Where is the plan for our health service? What will replace St. Conlon's in 18 months? What will replace the beds in Cahercalla in 18 months?

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