Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 153: To ask the Minister for Health the position regarding the future of public nursing homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29431/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Government policy in relation to older people is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to quality long-term residential care. While reiterating this Government's commitment to the future public provision of residential care for older people, we must also recognise that the HSE is facing challenges in respect of all services in 2012. In the case of Community Nursing Units these include challenges regarding staffing, funding and the age and structure of its units. In this regard the HSE is carrying out a viability review of all its long stay nursing homes. When complete, this will give a clear outline and profile of each of the public long stay units including their status on meeting Health Information and Quality Authority standards.