Christopher O'Sullivan (Cork South-West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Cahill for raising this issue. I know that in his term in the Dáil and prior to that as a councillor, he has very much been an advocate for community hospitals in Kerry, in particular the West Kerry Community Hospital. We know how important the community hospitals are. They are fantastic in the level of care and service that their patients and residents get. We need to protect them but we also need to ensure that they are working at full capacity. I hope that I can answer that question as best I can.

I am taking this Topical Issue on behalf of the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, Kieran O’Donnell. West Kerry Community Hospital provides important and valued services for the people in the west Kerry area. The Minister of State, Deputy O’Donnell, understands the significant role that the hospital plays in the community and the depth of feeling associated with the facility. West Kerry Community Hospital is registered to accommodate a maximum of 46 residents and provides long-term care, respite, convalescence and palliative care. There are currently 42 beds open in West Kerry Community Hospital, comprising 35 long-stay beds and seven short-stay beds. All of these beds are currently occupied. West Kerry Community Hospital cannot admit any more residents at this present time, as the opening of additional beds is dependent on safe staffing levels, as the Deputy has quite rightly pointed out.

West Kerry Community Hospital, in common with other health facilities, particularly in rural areas, can experience staffing shortages for a variety of reasons. However, the HSE constantly endeavours to mitigate staff deficits and ensure that safe staffing levels are maintained. I assure the Deputy that the current care ratio in West Kerry Community Hospital is consistent with that of all community hospitals and community nursing units across the country.

There are currently a number of nursing and health care assistant vacancies in West Kerry Community Hospital and every effort is being made to fill these. HSE south west has progressed numerous recruitment initiatives at national and international levels to fill these positions. These campaigns have been progressed against the background of a limited pool of available candidates, which is reflected in the global recruitment challenges being experienced. In October 2024, West Kerry Community Hospital was approved to fill 4.3 WTE nursing posts. To date, one candidate has been recruited with a start date of April 2025. Once the full complement of staff has been recruited, the HSE will be in a position to open the remaining beds.

The HSE is working to provide additional beds at West Kerry Community Hospital so that the hospital can provide an enhanced service for the local community. However, as I have already outlined, plans to increase capacity are dependent on appropriate staffing levels being in place and the outcome of ongoing recruitment campaigns. Officials from the Department of Health will continue to monitor the situation and to provide updates to the Minister of State, Deputy O’Donnell. The Minister of State remains committed to working alongside the HSE to address all concerns in respect of the residential care for older persons in west Kerry, now and for the coming years.

As Deputy Cahill quite rightly highlighted, a five-hour return journey to visit a loved one is not acceptable. It is something that should expedite the drive to recruit extra staff so that West Kerry Community Hospital can work at capacity. The Deputy also made a relevant point on the Irish language factor. Being in a Gaeltacht area, there should be an expectation that patients be among other Irish language speakers.

My apologies, as I nearly had a slip of the tongue and said "west Cork" a few times. Deputy Cahill will have to forgive me for that.

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