Rosalie centre closure
Eugene Murphy raised the planned closure of the Rosalie centre in Castlerea, saying vulnerable residents were being reduced in number and then shut down. The Minister of State said she had discussed the issue with the Minister for Health, who said families had been told the move was intended to improve care and safety.
I have raised on many occasions decisions by the Health Service Executive, HSE, to close down centres which are looking after vulnerable people. I have made particular and frequent reference to the Rosalie centre in Castlerea, County Roscommon. The centre was catering for 30 people but the HSE has slowly but surely whittled down that number to about ten. It has now decided to close the unit. I have posed this question to the Taoiseach on many occasions but these are vulnerable people. I would like to think that the Taoiseach, as leader of the country, would be a voice for those people. Will he intervene and ask the HSE not to do this to people who have lived most of their lives in these centres and know the people who look after them well? This is causing distress to patients and their families. One person, who is a ward of court, was taken out of the unit and placed in a private nursing home before Easter. The HSE will tell us that it is the expert in this area. Some of the people concerned have asked not to be moved. They made that request to me last year. It strikes a chord with me and is very upsetting. Is the Taoiseach prepared to tell the HSE to stall this process until a better way is found?
Comment on this
This issue has been raised a number of times in Topical Issue debates that I have taken on behalf of the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris. I have spoken to the Minister on the matter and there seems to be a lack of communication regarding how this process has developed. I have discussed the concerns raised with the Minister and I understand the patients and their families have been informed that the reason for the transition is to provide better care and improved safety for patients. I will raise the issue again with the Minister when I meet him this afternoon.
Comment on this
The Taoiseach gave a commitment that he would not allow this to happen when he was the Minister for Health. I am not being smart in stating that.
Comment on this
I assume the Minister for Health will be asked to communicate with the Deputy. Is that possible?
Comment on this
Yes, I will ask the Minister to do that.