Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In May 2023, a HIQA inspection identified concerns regarding the flooring in both the sycamore and willow units at Cherry Orchard Hospital. These presented a significant potential health and safety risk and a fire risk and it was something that I could not ignore. It was proposed to remove the residents on a phased basis and, so far, 43 residents have been transferred from Cherry Orchard campus, with 17 residents still on-site. There has been ongoing engagement with the residents. Where any Minister receives a report from HIQA that there is a fire risk in a facility which is a long-term residential home for older people, action has to be taken. I stand over the decision. Forty-three residents have been transferred, with 17 more still on-site whose families are not in a position to move them at the moment. There are spaces available for them and the same terms and conditions will apply to these residents when they move.

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