Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

Before I go to my official speech, I wish to comment on the situation. It is my understanding there is no threat to the hospital. I could be wrong, as I am not the holder of all knowledge. I will inquire about the report the Senator mentioned and will contact him.

I understand fully that any job is vital in an area as isolated as Valentia Island, which I know very well, but it is not as isolated as it used to be. It is almost a misnomer to call it an island because it is connected by a bridge to the mainland. I know the people who live on the island are very concerned that it retain its unique identity and I understand that point, but all of Kerry is unique.

This hospital is not under threat. It provides an excellent service, that is deeply needed in that community because of its isolated location. I do not think we should ever retain something simply because of the issue of jobs. That is a consideration when attracting industry, but when we come to deal with caring, we must remember the person who needs the service. I know that Senator Norris accepts that point.

Valentia Community Hospital provides long-term and respite care to older people. It is run as the Senator has already pointed out by a voluntary organisation, Valentia Community Health and Welfare Association. In the past, Valentia Community Hospital would have been allocated a lump sum annually by the HSE. As Members are aware, the nursing home support scheme, a fair deal, was introduced in October 2009, in order to address the fundamental inequity in the treatment of public and private long-term nursing home residents and to alleviate the financial hardship being experienced by long-term residents in private nursing homes. Prior to the introduction of the fair deal scheme, many people in long-term nursing home care experienced unaffordable care costs over periods of many years. The result was that many people had to sell or remortgage their houses or had to turn to family and friends in order to find the money to meet their care needs.

A fundamental purpose of the scheme therefore was to offer assurance to one of the most vulnerable groups of society, those in need of long-term nursing home care that such care would be affordable and would remain affordable for as long as they need it. In order to achieve these objectives of equality and affordability, the fair deal scheme involves a fundamental change in the way in which long-term nursing home care is funded and subsequently the way in which nursing homes and community hospitals are funded. The new scheme supports the individual in need of long-term nursing home care and not the facility providing the care. This means that money follows the patient regardless of whether he or she chooses public, private or voluntary nursing homes. It ensures that these facilities are not being funded for empty beds. In terms of long-term care, that is important because there is always a waiting list and a queue to get in. In order to qualify for the scheme, all private and voluntary nursing homes, previously funded under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, including Valentia Community Hospital, must negotiate and agree a price for the cost of care with the National Treatment Purchase Fund. This is a necessary feature of the scheme, due to the commitment by the State to meet the full balance of the cost of care, over and above the person's own contribution. As stated, the nursing home support scheme only applies to long-term nursing home care. Valentia Community Hospital can continue to have separate agreements with the HSE for the provision of other services, such as day care, respite and convalescence.

There have been ongoing discussions between the board of management of Valentia Community Health and Welfare Association and the HSE with regard to future service provision. The Minister for Health met a delegation from Valentia hospital on 8 June and I understand following that meeting the HSE is continuing to engage with the board of management to support the process of decision making with regards to the future of the service. The HSE understands that the board of management hope to make a decision on the matter in August. The HSE has informed me that it will respect whatever decision the board of management make and hopes to work closely with them to provide services in the area into the future in a sustainable manner.

I hope this assurance that there is no threat give some comfort to both Senators Norris and Moloney.