I raise again the matter of St. Brigid's hospital in Carrick-on-Suir in Tipperary, which remains closed eight months after being shut in anticipation of its use for Covid-19 patients. This hospital was being used by people in south Tipperary, south Kilkenny and north Waterford for rehabilitation, respite, convalescence and palliative care. When it closed, the people in the areas understood those reasons and accepted them, but after nine months the facility has never been used and the people have real worries about its long-term future.

I raised the matter before and received commitments that the facility would reopen after the Covid-19 pandemic. I do not accept that answer any more. This pandemic could be with us for another 12 to 24 months but St. Brigid's hospital has been vital for a wide catchment area. It helped families with members who were very ill and who wished to be nearby. All reports indicate that that helps in such cases. People cannot be expected to do without the service in their area or to travel 20 or 25 miles in some cases to visit their loved ones, especially when there is no public transport as such. The people of south Tipperary and the wider area deserve much better. They want a straight answer on the question of when St. Brigid's hospital will reopen. There should be no more spin. It should be reopened and the staff should be allocated to the facility.

I will engage with the HSE and see what the updated position is on the facility.

We have got that same answer four times.