Micheál Carrigy (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)

I want to highlight the excellent physio service we have at St. Joseph's care centre in Longford. Following a recent HIQA report, however, there were queries about the location of it with regard to the older persons who were in the care centre and who have had to move location on site. There are now fears among staff and the 4,000 people who attend that service in the care centre that the service could be moved to Athlone or Mullingar. That would not be acceptable. I have met with the Minister of State, Kieran O'Donnell, and HSE officials in older persons' services with regard to this. They have put forward proposals to maintain that service on that site. I want a commitment to the people of Longford, the service users and the staff that this will happen. We have lost a number of services over the years in our county and we will not accept losing this service where there are alternatives. I want common sense to prevail and older persons services, primary care and HIQA to come to a common-sense agreement to keep that service on site.

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