Page 83 of the programme for Government has the stated objective that older people would remain living in their homes independently. Tomorrow, the HSE seeks to close St. Michael's day care centre for older people in Navan. It is a critical service and for many of the users it is the only social contact they have in the entire week. The centre also provides access to mental health services and physical health services for those people. Many of the people who avail of the service will be forced either to have home help hours or to consider nursing home options. Could the Tánaiste make a commitment that the closure of the service will be postponed until a fix is in place?

The programme for Government also has a commitment to building capacity for emergency and acute services by reducing the number of people going into hospital. The decision to close the facility was announced at 4.10 p.m. on Tuesday by the HSE. It will put 124 elderly patients out onto the street. The service has existed for 34 years in Navan. Last month the Taoiseach said from now on the HSE would show compassion and common sense. How can he stand over a situation where 124 people will be thrown out on the street tomorrow afternoon? Where is the compassion or common sense in that? I urge the HSE to postpone the decision. The HSE has said it will secure an additional building. It has had five months to secure it and nothing has been done.

I understand there were some fire and security issues in relation to the building which clearly necessitated that decision.

Fix them.

I do not have the precise details so I will ask the Minister to communicate with both Deputies who have raised this issue. The Government has begun the consultation on the development of home care and making sure we have more substantial investment in home care generally. Such services support keeping people in their homes.

The HSE will not spend the money.

I will ask the Minister to link with both Deputies, given the seriousness of the issue they raised.