Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 624: To ask the Minister for Health if he will supply all information, correspondence, reports and other documentation regarding the decision to close Abbeyleix Community Nursing Unit, Abbeyleix, County Laois. [34631/11]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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I understand the Deputy wishes to understand the rationale behind the closure of Abbeyleix Community Nursing Unit. The unit provides continuing care, day care and respite services to people in Laois/Offaly and bordering areas of Kilkenny, Carlow, Tipperary and Kildare. The Health Service Executive has advised that the reducing funding allocation being experienced across all HSE services, together with staff losses as a result of the public sector moratorium, combined with the anticipated losses of staff between now and the end of the year make it essential that it now moves to consolidate the overall provision of long-stay care within the Dublin Mid - Leinster Region.

An inspection report published by HIQA in February 2011 concluded that the ratio of staff to residents at the Abbeyleix unit was not adequate to meet the needs of the mainly maximum dependency residents. It also noted that the building is old and has a number of multi-occupancy bedrooms which do not meet the requirements of the national standards.

Taking all these factors together, the HSE took the decision to proceed with the closure of Abbeyleix CNU. It will continue to consult and communicate with residents' families, staff, public representatives and key people in the wider community including Friends of the Hospital, Age Action, and local GPs, clergy and gardaí. It is intended that the residents will be transferred to public units where appropriate and that the remaining residents will be transferred to private nursing homes. Staff from Abbeyleix CNU will be transferred to reopen closed beds and/or prevent the closure of other public beds resulting from moratorium losses in the area.

In relation to the other services provided at Abbeyleix CNU, I can confirm that the day care services will continue to cater for the needs of the 90 clients - approximately 24 per day - who use the service, and there are plans to further enhance this service in the future. Respite service for the current 8 clients will continue; however, it is intended that this service will transfer to a private provider following consultation with the families concerned. I can also assure the House that the Primary Care Centre located on the grounds of the facility will also continue in line with the HSE Primary Care Strategy.

If the Deputy wishes to examine the documentation relating to this decision, the proper channel for this is through a request under the Freedom of Information Act and he should contact the Freedom of Information Unit of the Department or alternatively the HSE.