Paul Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise the issue of St. Vincent's Care Centre in Athlone. I ask the Leader to request the Minister for Health to come to the Chamber, at his earliest convenience, to explain the situation at the centre. News broke overnight that the residents of the centre were being evacuated by ambulance to Birr, Longford and care centres elsewhere. The reason given for doing so was serious electrical issues in the centre in Athlone. Since news broke I know that Deputy Troy's office has been inundated with phone calls from people. They expressed genuine concerns and fear that the centre will remain closed, as has happened in the past when other care centres were closed down for similar reasons. We all treat the health and safety of every individual in society with the utmost importance. If there is a health and safety issue in this instance, then it must be addressed.I would like the Minister to come to the House to reassure us. I know Deputy Troy is meeting him today but I believe he should come to this House to put on the record an assurance to the families who are greatly inconvenienced at present and who have to travel to visit their loved ones in Birr, Longford and other areas. They need reassurance and they need a statement from the Minister on the record that this problem will be solved as soon as possible. The Minister also needs to give an assurance that this care centre will re-open. As I said, similar situations have been recorded and similar reasons were given for temporary closures of facilities which never again re-opened. This is the issue that has created most fear among the families, friends and frequent visitors of the residents of this care centre. It is very important, in order to put the minds of those people at rest, that the Minister comes to the House to give the reassurance that I and those people need urgently.