1197. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the safeguards in place to prevent elderly patients with significant care needs from being discharged from short-term nursing home placements before a long-term placement has been secured; the supports available where family members are unable to provide care due to their own health conditions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [64612/26]

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