Micheál Martin (Cork South-Central, Fianna Fail)

I appreciate the Deputy raising this very serious issue for the community. As he says, the services were delivered in clinics located in the corridor that was part of the designated centre, I believe, and the residents' environment. This necessitated restrictive, controlled access to the community nursing unit and resulted in restricted movement for the residents. As part of the compliance plan for St. Joseph's, a commitment was given to HIQA supporting free access for residents to their home, which is the designated centre. To achieve this, alternative access to therapy services was required, apparently. Older persons' services worked with primary care services to provide short-term alternative accommodation to allow for time to source a longer term solution. Therapy services were relocated to another part of St. Joseph's campus in Longford within the same building where they are accessed by a new entrance. The HSE confirmed on 10 June that physiotherapy services are fully operational from St. Joseph's care centre, and the HSE confirmed that a feasibility study has been carried out. I think a decision will be made on 20 June. I will relay the Deputy's concerns to the Minister.

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