Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Unfortunately, as Senator Ó Domhnaill will be aware from previous Adjournment debates, I will be reading a reply.

I thank the Senator for raising this issue, which the Government is examining. As he is aware, Government policy is to support older 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 appropriate quality long-term residential care, including the provision of financial assistance under the nursing homes support scheme. In 2012, with a budget of almost €1 billion, financial support was provided to over 22,000 people in nursing homes.

These are challenging times for the Health Service Executive in respect of all services. In the case of community nursing units, these include challenges regarding staffing, funding and the age and structure of its units. In this regard, all developments have to be addressed in light of the current economic and budgetary pressures and any decisions taken by the HSE must have regard to this and the current recruitment moratorium.

As the Senator will be aware, Dungloe Community Hospital is located on the Gweedore Road, a short walk from the town centre. The facility was registered with the Health Information and Quality Authority on 22 June 2012. The registration period is three years and the current capacity is 35 beds. This consists of 16 continuing care, six respite, three convalescence-rehabilitation, two palliative care and eight assessment beds. The hospital also provides a wide range of care services, including a day hospital, outpatient clinics, an X-ray department and other specialist services, such as physiotherapy, speech and language therapy, mental health and social work.

Dungloe Community Hospital has recently experienced an increased number of staff retirements, long-term sick leave and maternity leave. To maintain a safe level of care to patients, the Health Service Executive decided to temporarily reduce by ten the number of short-stay beds in the facility. Long-stay beds are unaffected by the decision. I understand six beds closed in the week ending 10 May, with the remaining four beds closing last week. The decision to temporarily close the beds was taken to ensure there is an adequate number of staff to safely meet all of the needs of the residents. This matter will be kept under constant review. The hospital will continue to provide respite and rehabilitation care within its current capacity. Additional respite services, if required, are available in Falcarragh Community Hospital. The HSE has asked me to assure the House that residents at the hospital are receiving a safe and quality service.

The Government is committed to the provision of a quality public nursing home service. Our overall objective is to protect the viability of as many units as possible, within the funding and staffing resources available. The Department is working closely with the HSE to finalise an overall plan regarding future public provision. The plan will reflect regional need and have regard to the current severe financial constraints, restrictions on public sector staffing and recruitment as well as the ongoing need to meet service and safety standards, all of which pose challenges for community nursing units across the country. Senator Ó Domhnaill can take some solace from the fact that we are fast running out of capacity in respect of nursing home beds.