Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 679: To ask the Minister for Health the full extent of the accommodation available St Bridget's Hospital, Crooksling; the extent to which it is intended to maximise the number of patients there in accordance with the desirable staff to patient ratios with particular reference to the needs of high dependability long stay patients; if the Health Information and Quality Authority recommendations as currently applied present a particular burden as compared to other hospitals in the public and private sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29799/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. However I would like to advise the Deputy that the HSE has decided to continue to provide residential care in the lower units at St Brigid's Hospital, Crooksling in the short term. It is proposed that the upper units which are not in a good infrastructural condition will close. Remedial works were undertaken in the lower units at the Hospital in order to meet the HIQA fire standard requirement before the HIQA registration deadline of 30 June. Once this registration is finalised, 66 beds will remain in the newly upgraded lower units.