Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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1958.To ask the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken in relation to a nursing home (details supplied). [30889/24]

Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Government continues to prioritise the best interests of nursing home residents to ensure that their welfare, care and well-being is ensured. It is vitally important that nursing home residents are cared for in the most appropriate settings and that their families can have peace of mind knowing that their loved one is in receipt of the highest standards of care and support in a safe environment. This continues to be a key priority for both Minister Donnelly and I.

Aperee Living Callan is a private nursing home that had its registration cancelled by HIQA last November for non-compliance with national standards.

The HSE was notified on 2 November 2023 by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) that following cancellation of registration and a subsequent District Court Order (under Section 64 (4) (b) of the Health Act 2007) that the HSE would take charge of the designated centre Aperee Living Callan, Co. Kilkenny from 3 November 2023. The HSE/SECH was also informed that the provider (Aperee Living Callan Ltd.) was not appealing the notice from HIQA.

Consequently, the HSE managed the facility as the registered provider for Aperee Living Callan Limited, (ALCL) for a period of time.

Following meetings between the HSE, HIQA and the owner of the private nursing home, the HSE concluded that they could no longer safely continue to provide care for residents in Aperee Living Callan, Co. Kilkenny. The health and safety of residents is a paramount consideration at all times.

Members of the HSE’s team were on site in Callan on Tuesday, 26 March to notify residents, families and staff of this development.

Appropriate arrangements for the remaining residents were made to identify alternative nursing home places of their choice. The HSE continued to liaise with and support residents and their families at all times during this process.

The HSE confirmed on 2 May that the last resident had transferred to their new nursing home. An NF35 ‘Ceasing to carry on the business of the designated centre’ form was submitted to HIQA in respect of Aperee Living Callan and the remaining staff were notified in writing by their employer, Aperee Living, of their employment finish date.

HSE nursing staff supported the transfer of residents to their new accommodation which proceeded without incident.

The HSE have also confirmed that HIQA informed them that there were no concerns received from any family members associated with Aperee Living, Callan, and complimented the Director of Nursing and staff on their work and professionalism.

I am sincerely grateful to the staff of Aperee Living Callan for their dedication during this difficult time. I am equally sincerely grateful to the HSE for stepping in as the statutory provider of last resort to ensure that Aperee Living Callan remained operational for as long as possible and for providing safe, quality care for the residents in a situation where a private nursing home was no longer in a position to provide that care.