Noel Davern
Question:122 Mr. Davern asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no night nurse on duty at Cluainn Aráin Nursing Home, Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20248/96]
Written Answers. - Nursing Home Staff.
Limerick East): The South-Eastern Health Board inform me that Cluainn Aráin is a 41 bed welfare home for the elderly. Welfare homes are run by the health boards. They differ from other health board long-stay institutions in that most of the residents, although elderly, are ambulant and capable of taking care of themselves. As a result, these homes generally require a small number of staff, comprising a matron plus an assistant, a cook and some catering and cleaning staff. Due to the low level of dependency of the patients, the health boards do not consider it essential that a nurse must be on duty at night and accordingly, night nurse cover is not provided in Cluainn Aráin.