Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I have raised the issue of a nursing home in Athlone several times before, but this is not just about Athlone, but about care of the elderly across the nation. If we do not care and respect the elderly in their final years, we are at nothing. I am talking about Loughloe House in Athlone. It is a nursing home that was purpose built in the 1970s in the most ideal situation on the banks of the River Shannon. The HSE delivered a very uncompassionate ruling to close this nursing home. There were 24 residents in the nursing home seven months ago, but there are only five remaining today and they are refusing to leave. The HSE manager, Mr. Joe Ruane, gave an undertaking that people would not be thrown out, they would not be bullied and they would not be intimated. Sadly, that is not the case.

The pictures have been removed from the walls. The oratory is being dismantled. Mass was said in the oratory for the last time yesterday evening. Furniture has been removed so that visitors cannot sit around and visit their relatives. People have now been told that Friday is the last day for the home to remain open.

I call on the Leader to bring the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, or the Minister for Health and Children, before the House today, to tell us why Loughloe House is being closed and explain how we will care for the elderly. If it was happening in St. Mary's Hospital in Mullingar, the Leader would be just as emphatic as I am today. Senator Phelan has raised the situation in Kilkenny several times. I propose an amendment to the Order of Business because I feel strongly about this. The Minister for Health and Children, or the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, should come in here to discuss this issue.