Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the proposed closure of Crooksling hospital in Brittas. This is a high dependency unit that cares for the elderly from the surround areas. The majority of residents need a high level of care as some are non-verbal and unable to feed or clothe themselves and require round the clock care. The staff provide very good care.

I have visited this unit on occasions and experienced the homely atmosphere and could see the happiness oozing out of the residents. The way the staff treat the patients and the services they provide to then is second to none. This unit has reached the standards set by HIQA.

It is paramount that this unit is supported by the Department of Health, the HSE to ensure this older building reaches the standard it would like to reach. I would say that the building could do with a major upgrade. The hospital is located in a beautiful sylvan setting in the woods of Brittas on a large site and the residents can look out on the animals. This is an ideal location for the nursing home, which has been there for years. I hope the HSE will be able to invest in it from its capital plan. I would like the Minister to comment on that.

There is sufficient acreage to extend the nursing home and make it much larger. It would serve a much wider catchment area. I ask the Minister of State to comment on that as well. It caters for the most vulnerable people in our society. It caters for people who have done the State a huge service by working for many years and now they find that they need care. It is up to us to ensure that the older people in my community are looked after and that the staff are facilitated by having modern facilities. This home provides good care but I would very much like to see an injection of capital so that it is upgraded and expanded.