Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick City, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will repeat particular clarifications on a number of points. First, the decision to utilise the Nenagh community nursing home building on an interim basis as a step-down sub-acute and rehabilitative facility was taken to alleviate the significant pressures at UHL. It is about the pressures and that is a fact. I also reiterate the HSE is working towards a HSE-led model of delivery at Nenagh community nursing unit with long-term residential care services, commencing in quarter 3 this year, for the current St. Conlon's residents. The cohort that I want to have significantly transferred, obviously, is that cohort of people who currently are residents in St. Conlon's and they will move to the new facility in quarter 3 of this year.

The current community nursing unit in St. Conlon's, Nenagh, continues to provide excellent care to its residents during the interim period. The new Nenagh community nursing unit will ultimately replace St. Conlon's community nursing unit. I also reiterate that older person services in the north Tipperary area ultimately will be enhanced by the opening of a new state-of-the-art 50 bed community nursing unit in Nenagh, following a significant intervention to help alleviate significant pressure on University Hospital Limerick.

They are the facts as I understand them as of today. Ultimately, my concern, as a Minister of State, is to ensure those residents in St. Conlon's move across and assure their families that they will move across to the new facility in quarter 3 of this year.

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