3748. Deputy Eoghan Kenny asked the Minister for Health if she is aware of the proposed reconfiguration of residential services at St. Stephen’s Hospital, Glanmire (details supplied); the rationale for selecting this option; the alternative options considered; the number of older-person residential beds that will be lost at unit 1; if these will be replaced on a like-for-like basis elsewhere within the public HSE system; the intended future use of the second floor of block 8 once vacated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [62680/26]

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.