Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Norris for raising this issue. It provides me with an opportunity to outline to this House the background to the current situation and the action taken by the HSE, and to reassure the older people concerned about the future.

I have been informed by the HSE that it has not made a decision to close the facility. Government policy on older people is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to quality long-term residential care when appropriate, and we continue to develop and improve health services in all regions and to ensure quality and patient safety. The safety and well-being of older people living in nursing homes is of critical concern.

Quality care and patient safety comes first and all patients should receive the same high standard of quality-assured care. Our primary focus has to be on patients. Each hospital, each local health office, managers, clinicians and others working in the health services have a responsibility to ensure they provide the best possible service to patients and other clients of our health services.

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive has operational responsibility for the delivery of health and social services. This includes facilities such as Bethany House. Bethany House is a welfare home which opened in the 1970s. It is currently operating as a 30-bed unit, which consists of 28 residential beds and two respite beds. There are currently 25 long-stay residents, with one long-stay admission to the facility in the past six months. Reviews are essential to ensure that resources are appropriately channelled and that the changing needs of older people are suitably addressed. The HSE commissioned a review of elderly services within the Carlow and Kilkenny region in 2006. This review, which included Bethany House, was conducted in 2007. The report was received by the HSE in early 2008 and is under consideration.

In recent days, Bethany House has been the subject of media speculation and local rumours that the facility faces closure. No such decision has been made. The Department has been advised that the review is under consideration by the HSE and no definite decision has been made. However, as soon as a decision is made on Bethany House, residents and those directly affected will be the first to be informed.

Following those recent reports, the HSE has taken a number of positive steps to allay the concerns of residents and staff. Senior HSE officials have met all residents and staff to discuss the speculation and to answer any queries or address any concerns they may have. As I said, no decisions on the future of Bethany House have been made. However, the HSE continues to work closely with the home to address the concerns of residents.