Kevin Humphreys (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge Senator Kelleher's work on dementia and her concerns about it. We thought we were making progress, where there was a line referring to it in the latest budget.

I refer to the issue of Saint Joseph's Shankill, which was debated in the House with the Minister of State, Deputy Daly, as recently as 12 November. A notification was sent out earlier this week that no further beds would be made available for long-term dementia care in Saint Joseph's due to lack of funding. The Minister for Health, Deputy Simon Harris, made clear statements on the facility when this issue was debated in the Lower House. He gave a commitment that the doors would not close and said:

Saint Joseph's is a brilliant facility. It needs to be supported and it will be supported, and remain open. This facility will not close.

However, the 60 residential beds in the centre are closing. I am disappointed that the Minister would give such clear statements in the Lower House. I have to be very careful not to use toward "liar" and I will not-----