Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is right that this is a complicated issue. It is an evolving situation. As I mentioned, all options are being explored. I wrote to the HSE last Friday and asked it to explore all options. Regular engagements are taking place between the Department of Health, the HSE and HIQA. Before this nursing home is registered again, only one organisation can register it and it will only register a facility when it is fit for purpose and all issues have been addressed. HIQA does not like having to withdraw authorisation from any facility.

It does not like doing that. When HIQA issues reports, they are very clear. It will work with any provider to form a plan and a timeline regarding the concerns it has raised. Unfortunately, last week it had to take the position that it could no longer register the facility due to health and safety issues.

I also want to put the following on the record. I often say in this Chamber that the HSE has statutory responsibility as the provider of last resort. I am often criticised for saying that by private nursing homes but that is the fact. When something goes wrong, the HSE will always have to step in and it will have to be staffed accordingly. That is what it is doing at the moment. It did not even have 24 hours’ notice in this case but it is there and is working with the staff in place. It is working with the families, the residents and the staff. The Department of Health, the HSE and HIQA are all working together, as well as, I hope, the provider. That is my understanding. It is evolving and I will keep the Deputy updated. We are very early into this - it has currently been six days. My primary focus is for the residents to be looked after and personally I would like to see a long-term solution and not lose the 74 beds.

See this speech in context