Denis O'Donovan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her response. To some extent, she has cleared the air because all sorts of rumours were circulating about public meetings and so on. The issue was aired on local radio because the geriatric society, faced with the gauntlet of trying to comply with HIQA's request, decided to run before the storm, but the deadline of 28 June is tight. There is no fire hazard in the home and €50,000 was collected from the public by voluntary organisations in the past few months to cover the cost of works there. It is a pity the home will be closed and I hope somebody in charge of the relocation will visit it. As of a week ago - I am not sure about the past few days - the families of the elderly patients had not received reassurance about their security of tenure. A reassurance to that effect from a senior HSE official would help them to overcome much of their anxiety. I hope they can live out the rest of their days with dignity and respect.