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

I thank Deputy Cahill again. There are 46 beds registered in West Kerry Community Hospital, 42 of which are currently open and occupied. West Kerry Community Hospital cannot admit more resident at present, as the opening of additional beds is dependent on staffing levels. West Kerry Community Hospital has experienced some difficulties with staff shortages, but all efforts are being made on a continuous basis to ensure safe staffing levels are in place to maximise the residential care capacity in the facility. Once the full complement of staff has been recruited in West Kerry Community Hospital, the HSE will be in position to open the remaining beds. The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and the HSE are committed to maximising all available services for older people in the Kerry region. The HSE continuously reviews its services in line with population, health planning and Sláintecare principles to ensure that adequate and appropriate residential care services are available to older people in the region.

I will bring Deputy Cahill's specific requests to the Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell, and I will point out that a similar reply to this one was issued in January 12 months ago and that we need to see more progress. I will be asking him that every single effort be made. There are positions to be filled. I appreciate that there is a difficulty in recruiting, and that is a global issue, but the people of west Kerry deserve better. They deserve a hospital that is working at full capacity. The level of care being provided in community hospitals the length and breadth of the country is extraordinary. I am sure it is the same in West Kerry Community Hospital, so it is important that a solution be found.

I thank the Deputy again for bring this issue up and for speaking on behalf of the people of Kerry.

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