Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Bacik for raising this issue in such a constructive manner. Obviously, for the service users and some of the former residents and their families, this has been very challenging and difficult. A key principle underpinning Government policy is to support older people to live in their own homes with dignity and independence for as long as possible, with the correct wraparound supports. In recent years there has been a shift of focus in healthcare provision towards home care. Home support services are key in facilitating older people to remain at home. Of course, there will always be people whose needs are best met in a residential care setting or other supported housing model like the services provided at St. Mary's Telford nursing home.

The Department of Health is aware of the difficult decision taken by the board of management of St. Mary's, which is owned by the Sisters of Charity, to close. On 23 July the HSE was advised that St. Mary's was placed in voluntary provisional liquidation by order of the High Court at the request of the board of directors. The HSE advised that this was not an expected or anticipated action and was contrary to what the board and management had advised the HSE up until the previous week. Provisional liquidators were appointed and they contacted the HSE regarding client and staff welfare on 27 July.It is understood that HIQA was also aware of this issue at the time. There were 19 nursing home clients and 22 disability clients in residence at the centre at the time. All residents have now transitioned from the nursing home element of the service, while 18 remain in the disability element.

At the High Court hearing of 8 September, an application was made on behalf of a group of employees, former employees, residents and their families to consider putting the company into examinership. The application for receivership was rejected by the High Court in a ruling delivered this week, on 28 September.

The HSE is working with the provisional liquidators and continues to provide them with funding to enable care provision to be maintained for the remaining clients at the centre. As of 3 September, the HSE has also commenced on-site engagement to review the service. The HSE is committed to supporting service provision and assistance in respect of client care at the request of the provisional liquidators, who are legally fulfilling the role of provider at this point. I understand that an independent advocacy service was utilised where residents required and consented to such representation or assistance.

The HSE remains conscious of the vulnerability of the residents at the centre of this issue and of the anxiety and stress these circumstances has caused for them and their families. I can only imagine how the residents, who were not expecting this news, would have felt. Some residents who have dementia need the familiarity of the building in which they live. To have to change can be very challenging for many. It is hoped that continued engagement will substantially alleviate this anxiety and stress. I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue.