I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Byrne, to the House. I thank him for taking time out of his busy schedule.
Nithe i dtosach suíonna - Commencement Matters
Transport Policy
I do not think there has been a Cabinet reshuffle and the Minister of State is the Minister for Transport-----
Not yet.
-----but I thank the Minister of State for coming to the House. This matter was billed as being for the Minister for Transport, but I know that the Minister of State is very competent and able and has his hand across all aspects of government.
My matter relates to the ambitious Galway hydrogen valley project. On 14 April 2022, I met, as did a number of Oireachtas Members, with the Taoiseach at the Port of Galway conference on renewable energies and the opportunities particularly for the west of Ireland. The Taoiseach spoke very supportively not only of the Galway hydrogen valley project but also of hydrogen generally and the challenges that face our ports.
Interestingly, I read in one of the national newspapers last weekend that there are still huge challenges, particularly with the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, which, basically, will be the marine planning authority in time. I read about how we need to be prepared, ready and responsive to the challenges of renewables.
The Port of Galway has a plan or project called the Galway hydrogen hub, GH2 for short. It has enormous potential and is a game-changer for the west. I support it and commend the Port of Galway on its ambitious plans for the first hydrogen valley. The hydrogen valley recognises the ecosystems that link hydrogen, research, production, distribution and transport for end users as well as the challenges facing all those associated with this project. Everything is doable, however, and that came out very much at the conference. The potential is enormous, as I said, for the hydrogen valley in Galway. It will deal with and enable renewable strategies. Sustainability and decarbonisation are key objectives for the Government and are now at the very heart of public transport policy, and that is important. I acknowledge genuinely the Government's progressive steps in this area across all Departments in respect of renewable energies. The focus, as the Taoiseach said, is on supporting this project in Galway. It is very well supported by the private sector, industry, Galway City Council and all the stakeholders, and they were present in large numbers at that conference and engagement with the Taoiseach. The challenges in this regard, as I said, are renewable energies. It is clear there is a future for sustainable growth. This is clearly an exciting project.
Finally, I pay tribute to the Port of Galway and its board, the city councillors and the stakeholders, who are really committed to this hydrogen valley plan for Galway. When I left for the west for those few days and visited a number of sites, it was clear to me that the region is energised and, indeed, that the west is awake. This is a wonderful project. I would like to hear what plans, energy and focus the Department of Transport is giving to this very important project.
The Senator is right to be excited, interested and encouraged by what is being done in Galway. It is really positive.
As he rightly noted, sustainability and the need to decarbonise lie at the heart of transport policy, as set out in commitments under the programme for Government, the national development plan, NDP, the whole-of-government climate action plan and key strategies such as the national sustainable mobility policy. Against the backdrop of a shift away from fossil fuels and towards clean and green energy sources and fuels, renewable hydrogen has rightly been identified as one of several technologies with the potential to decarbonise hard-to-abate transport sectors. Those include the long-haul road transport and the maritime and aviation sectors. The Minister for Transport, Deputy Eamon Ryan, who apologises that he cannot be here, has a strong understanding of this potential role for renewable hydrogen as part of a wider energy sector transition.
The Minister has also a keen awareness of the need to identify the best investment and policy landscapes within which renewable hydrogen might be deployed to support transport decarbonisation objectives. This requirement, supported by strong evidence and data and industry insights, is particularly important, because while the Government's political commitment is clear, the policy framework to implement and support the delivery of green hydrogen in Ireland is in its early stages of development.
In that context a hydrogen strategy is being developed as a key priority within the national energy security framework by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications. The strategy will outline the pathways towards the production of green hydrogen and its use in Ireland's energy mix. The consultation for the strategy is under way and it will be considered on a cross-governmental basis before being finalised this year.
Pending the publication of the planned national hydrogen strategy, the Department of Transport has put in place a range of initiatives and measures to support potential early movers in hydrogen mobility. These include grant support for the purchase of heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles, some of which we have seen in action already; an accelerated capital allowance tax incentive for purchasers of hydrogen vehicles and associated refuelling equipment; hydrogen bus technology trials on suburban public service obligation routes in Dublin and Cork, including in my constituency; and a proposal that, from 2023, green hydrogen should receive quadruple credits or certificates that could be offset against the national obligation on supply of renewable fuels for transport with the potential to create a market value of benefit to suppliers of green hydrogen for use in transport.
Building on these initiatives, the Department engages with many industry stakeholders in an advisory capacity concerning policy on the development of green hydrogen as a future renewable energy for the transport sector. The GH2 consortium the Senator mentioned is among those groups, and the Department has engaged with the consortium since 2021.
Policy advice recently provided by the Department has included a statement of the current policy context for renewable hydrogen in transport to inform the consortium's proposed hydrogen valley project.
In line with the commitment in the programme for Government to ensure Ireland is at the cutting edge of scientific and technological innovation, the Minister for Transport has also identified renewable hydrogen for transport as a key element of his Department's climate research programme. To that end, working with counterparts in the Northern Ireland Executive and as part of the Government's shared island initiative, the Department has commissioned research on the potential for cross-Border co-operation to inform the approach to implementing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across the island.
The first phase of this research is underway and is assessing the options concerning safety regulations for possible future hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, including best practice and guidance on interoperability and delivery. A second phase of research, which is expected to be commenced next year, will involve a feasibility study concerning the delivery of transport refuelling on a cross-Border basis on the island of Ireland, including examining the criteria for optimising location and use. Within the overarching framework of the Government's forthcoming hydrogen strategy, these research projects will support and inform the next steps in the consideration of hydrogen development for transport and the possible future procurement of the delivery of public hydrogen refuelling infrastructure.
I thank the Minister of State for his comprehensive response. I will read it in more detail later.
I want to try to keep the focus on Galway, in particular the GH2 project, and will continue to do so. I flag something I noted from gov.ie this morning. There is now a campaign to appoint members to the Maritime Area Regulatory Authority, MARA, with which the Minister of State will be familiar. I want to renew my call for the Government, when considering the appointment of the board, to consider people with expertise in renewables. It is important we have mixed competencies on board, in particular in organisations like MARA. I again renew my call for local city and county councillors, who have traditionally been on many of these boards, to be considered for nomination to boards given their expertise in proper planning and sustainable development in their local communities.
I thank the Senator. I will certainly pass his comments on to the Minister. The programme for Government and climate action plan commit the Government to positioning Ireland at the forefront of a wider energy transition and the cutting edge of scientific and technological innovation in meeting our climate targets. Against that background and all of the actions we are taking under the climate action plan, the programme for Government and EU plans, the Minister, Deputy Ryan, recognises that the GH2 hydrogen valley and other proposals are a welcome and exciting indication of future possible opportunities for renewable hydrogen mobility, deployment and use.
Through the national hydrogen strategy, ongoing support initiatives and targeted research priorities I outlined, the Minister will continue to work with colleagues across Government and on an all-island basis. As I understand it, as recently as 19 September the Department of Transport provided the GH2 consortium with a policy statement letter. There is ongoing encouragement and discussion as we frame our hydrogen strategy. It is very exciting to see people in the regions take the initiative, not only on behalf of their regions but also of behalf of national and global climate strategies.
Local Authorities
I welcome the Minister of State. My Commencement matter relates to the loss of commercial rates as a result of the closure of Lough Ree power station in Lanesborough in 2019, with which the Minister of State will be quite familiar. It has been a major blow to employment and local economic activity in the regions of County Longford, Offaly and Shannonbridge, which suffered a negative impact from the loss not only of commercial rates but of the plants themselves, as well the potential loss from suppliers of the plant, including Bord na Móna. Lough Ree power station paid a total of €1.2 million in rates annually to Longford County Council. It was the single biggest ratepayer in Longford and accounted for 15% of the rate base. To sustain a loss of that magnitude in one year and to compensate on the income side, we would need to pass on an increase of 13.5% in rates to balance the books. I do not think that would be acceptable.
Indeed, we were the first county in Ireland to vary the local property tax, LPT, rate upwards, at 15%, a decision made when all local authority members in Longford came together to maximise potential funding for other projects where matched funding was needed for projects throughout our county. We ring-fenced the 15% increase for the local authority to allow us to apply for projects and ensure we have matched funding for them.
I acknowledge the efforts of the Minister of State, through his Department. The council successfully resolved this critical issue for the financial year 2022. Without that support, there would have been a severe impact on the ability of the council to respond to the challenges it faced. It has meant the council has been able to operate with a level of certainty in what has been a very challenging year. Businesses in the county are recovering at a slower pace than many urban settings. Coming out of Covid-19 and additional challenges facing the sector, such as inflation and the Ukrainian humanitarian crisis, compound the impact of the loss of the guaranteed income from the Lough Ree power station. However, the support the Department has given over the past couple of years has allowed the council to continue to respond with confidence, undertake the regeneration projects we spoke about, invest in our housing stock and continue to support communities and businesses throughout the county.
However, the financial jeopardy caused by the decision to close the power station and the resulting loss in rates remains a difficulty for 2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026. I was elected to the House in 2020 and in September 2021 I sought a guarantee. I have asked for a commitment from the Department and Government to provide certainty to Longford County Council until 2026. The just transition commissioner, Kieran Mulvey, stated two and a half years ago that:
It would be extremely unfair in circumstances over which they had no responsibility and for a decision which was not expected until 2027 that they should be burdened with this sudden loss.
I recommend that an urgent engagement takes place with the Chief Executives of the councils concerned with the funding Departments so that a suitable emergency arrangement can be agreed to alleviate the rate losses over the period 2021-2026.
While we have successfully received the rates every year, the decision is not made until the end of September. Our department of finance in the local authority is putting together financial projections for the year ahead. The situation creates uncertainty.
I wish to take this opportunity to wish our head of finance, John McKeon, well. He has been ill for the past number of months. He is a prudent financial officer in Longford County Council. We look forward to seeing him back in the chair in the finance sector of Longford County Council.
We should get, and need, certainty today. I do not want to come in here next year or the year after to look for funding to be put in place.
I thank the Senator for raising this very important issue. I wish to be associated with his comments on John McKeon. I spoke to him yesterday and he is out of hospital after seven months. That is a huge achievement for him in terms of getting through his illness. He is a credit to the local authority in Longford. I am sure he will be back at work shortly. I look forward to engaging with him again.
As I said, I thank Senator Carrigy for constantly bringing this issue up with my office. I acknowledge the funding pressures on local authorities generally, and specifically the negative impact on the commercial rates income caused by the closure of the Lough Ree power station in Longford. It is recognised that the authority was very reliant on rates from the now closed power station which, as the Senator said, accounted for approximately 16% of the rates receipts for the county in 2019. To alleviate this negative impact, my Department has provided compensatory funding to the local authority at a cost of €1.4 million in 2021 and €1.3 million in 2022.
I am pleased to confirm that this arrangement will continue in 2023, with support of €1.3 million being secured as part of the recent budgetary process.
As committed to in the programme for Government, Our Shared Future, the move to 100% retention of local property tax, LPT, will take place in 2023. All equalisation funding will now be met by the Exchequer to ensure that all authorities receive, at a minimum, an amount equivalent to their baseline. This increased equalisation requirement will come to €118 million in 2023. The LPT allocation to Longford for 2023 will be €8.9 million and this will include €6.9 million of equalisation funding from the Exchequer. As the Senator may be aware, all local authorities have the opportunity to increase or decrease their basic rate of LPT by 15%. I acknowledge the elected members of Longford County Council for recently taking the decision, as the Senator outlined, to increase the rate by 15% for 2023 and 2024. This upward variation on what is a relatively low base will lead to almost €300,000 in extra income for 2023 alone, which should be of great assistance in what is a challenging financial time ahead.
The Government is making a significant contribution of €333 million in 2023 to support the local government sector. A large portion of this figure, totalling almost €199 million, will go towards assisting local authorities with the cumulative effect on pay costs arising from the national pay arrangements and the unwinding of the financial emergency measures in the public interest legislation. This allocation will ensure the sector will have the necessary resources, in terms of people, to perform its functions and provide in excess of 1,000 essential public services to citizens. Furthermore, as in previous years, my Department will engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in respect of any additional pay increases that are confirmed for 2023. While the individual allocations for 2023 have yet to be confirmed, it should be noted that Longford County Council will receive €1.6 million towards increased payroll costs for 2022.
I am very aware of the current financial environment in which local authorities are operating and, in recognition of this ongoing pressure, additional support of €60 million has been secured for the sector as part of the budgetary process. This funding is additional to the €333 million already secured towards LPT, payroll and other miscellaneous schemes. The purpose of this additional funding will be to assist Longford County Council and other local authorities in meeting the increasing costs involved in providing a wide range of services. My Department will continue to engage with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the issues facing the sector at this time.
I thank the Minister of State for that commitment to funding but, as I stated, multi-annual funding is needed. I have to come in here every September and bring this issue to the fore in order for it to be announced that we are getting the funding. That is not acceptable. Mr. Kieran Mulvey, the just transition commissioner appointed by the Government, recommended that a multi-annual arrangement be put in place up to 2026. That is the minimum needed. We do not want our finance department to be doing the books again next year and trying to prepare for the year ahead without knowing what the financial situation will be. Local authority members are looking at the possibility of rate increases whereas if multi-annual funding was put in place, there would be no discussions on this. They would know where we stand up to 2027 and could then work on it. I ask that this be taken back to the Department and commitments given. When I raised this issue as a Commencement matter 12 months ago, I was told it would be considered and put in place but that has not been done. I am asking that it be put in place so that we can have that certainty for the next four years.
I acknowledge the contribution of the Senator. As I assured the chief executive and his team, we have not been found wanting in delivering the allocation for Longford in the two years since I have been in the Department. This is the third year that we have secured that allocation. When the previous cathaoirleach was seeking to be part of significant capital decisions on purchasing land in the local authority, we were able to provide an assurance that the allocation would be provided again for the current year.
The review of the LPT baseline will be under way in the coming months. That process will involve a review of all funding for the local authority sector. Unfortunately, several counties have been affected by the closure of power stations. Senator Kyne, who is present, is on to me every week about the pressures Galway is under due to the shortfall in funding. We do need to review urgently the LPT base. That will be carried out this year and it is hoped that it will be finished by Easter. That calculation is a big challenge in how local authorities need to be funded so that they can deliver those services. The allocation of €60 million to which I referred in my response, however, will also be there to support local authorities. I will give Longford all the certainty that is in my power to give.
Film Industry
I thank the Minister of State for taking this matter. The budget contained a lot of good news for film and television production, such as the extension of section 481, which provides certainty to the sector. It is welcome that an additional €7.3 million is being allocated to TG4. Slightly separate but equally important is the establishment of the new media fund, which is welcome.
As the Minister of State will be aware, the film, television, animation and content creation sector continues to boom. The Government has in place an audiovisual action plan that was adopted in June 2018. The report of the Future of Media Commission sets out several objectives in respect of where media and content creation in Ireland will go. The Online Safety and Media Regulation Bill, which will soon be passed by these Houses, will result in the establishment of a new media commission. As part of that, there will be a content levy fund to help with production. All of that is positive but we need to look at the longer-term strategy. How can we ensure that Ireland becomes a global hub for content creation, attracting international film and television production, but also look at how we can support culturally significant Irish production?
There is a lot of good news in the creation of new studio space. For instance, there is the development of Hammerlake Studios in Mullingar. More recently, An Bord Pleanála approved planning permission for Tara Studios, just north of Gorey, on my home turf, which will be the largest film and television production studio in the country. In a short time the amount of studio space in Ireland will almost quadruple. We have excellent independent production firms based here but there is also strong interest from streaming companies and other international production companies in coming here. We have all the right conditions.
It is important that we get clarity in respect of where responsibility lies between the new media commission and Screen Ireland with regard to film development and promotion, and also whether there is a role for the Arts Council. In the context of the review of section 481, it is concerning that the Department of Finance always regards it as almost cost-neutral. We need to look at those figures again because there is a genuine benefit to the economy from having international film production based here. It is not just the money that brings into local economies where the films are being shot and what is generated here domestically, it also relates to tourism and the image of Ireland that is projected internationally.
We are extremely lucky. At the moment, "Vikings: Valhalla" is being shot at Ashford Studios, while we culturally significant and beautiful films such as "An Cailín Ciúin" have been produced. This is a real boom time for the Irish content creation industry but we need to look at where we are going in the next decade. By the way, content creation is not confined to film, television and animation. We need to consider how we will provide content for the metaverse and to support some of those new technologies. Although the audiovisual action plan is in place, we need far more clarity in respect of which agencies are going to lead on specific issues, particularly given the creation of new agencies.
In addition, at Government level, while I know there are efforts being made to do this, we should set out very clearly what our objects are over the next decade.
The Government's commitment to supporting artists and creative people has undergone rapid and immense transformation in recent years due to equally monumental challenges faced by the creative communities. Culture and creativity are and will remain at the heart of Government policy, but our continuing priority is to ensure this creativity is allowed to thrive with the necessary supports.
The audiovisual action plan was launched in June 2018. This is an industry-wide, long-term plan under the Creative Ireland programme, developed to support the Government's ambition to enable Ireland to become, as the Senator wants, a global hub for the production of film, TV drama and animation. The tax incentive for the screen industries the Senator mentioned, section 481, has been a cornerstone of the Irish screen industry since its implementation in various forms in 1987. Its legacy speaks for itself in the creative and cultural value it has generated, both in terms of discovering and supporting new Irish voices, as well as showcasing Ireland's power as an international partner and a cultural force across film, television and animation, not to mention a breath-taking location offering historical and natural beauty. As the Senator will be aware, the Minister for Finance announced the extension to section 481 beyond the current end date of 2024, until December 2028, which gives certainty to the sector.
The economic value of section 481 is also important in what it brings to our industry in terms of infrastructure, upskilling and further training for crew. It cannot be underestimated in this endeavour. I heard what the Senator said but research has shown that 87% of mobile productions confirmed that they would have not located their production in Ireland without the support of this incentive.
The pilot basic income for the arts scheme was introduced in September for 2,000 artists. Some 204 of these are recorded as working in film, which is the third largest category after visual artists and musicians.
The Department recognises the enormous success of the Irish screen industry to date and the economic and cultural power that this sector produces both at home and abroad. The Department has been proud to support Screen Ireland throughout and, in particular, to provide further supports in the budget.
My colleague, the Minister, Deputy Catherine Martin, was delighted to showcase and promote the Irish screen industry during a recent trade mission to Los Angeles. One of the main reasons we have a consulate in Los Angeles is that the film industry, and the creatives and investors connected with it, are located in the area. The purpose of the meeting was to build on those international partnerships by updating key industry partners on the continued evolution and success of the sector in Ireland. The Minister was able to emphasise and continue the ongoing Government support for the Irish screen industry.
Last year was a record year for screen production in Ireland. This is extraordinary post Covid and demonstrates resilience and innovation in the industry in Ireland. The €500 million spend in 2021 on jobs and local goods and services was the highest ever achieved.
In film, the Cine4 scheme has produced incredible feature film work in the Irish language, from the sweet and heartwarming recent release "Róise & Frank" to, as the Senator mentioned, an scannán álainn "An Cailín Ciúin", a cuireadh le chéile agus a taifeadadh i mo Dháilcheantar féin. That is obviously a box office record-breaking milestone for Irish-language cinema. It has been remarked upon in incredible reviews the world over. The growth of local Irish TV drama has almost tripled in production spend since Screen Ireland began to support the sector with development funding in 2015.
The Minister and the Government remain committed to supporting the Irish screen industry and continue to engage with Screen Ireland and stakeholders on issues important to the sector.
I thank Senator Malcolm Byrne and the Joint Committee on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sports and Media on the recent launch of the report, A Safe and Respectful Working Environment in the Arts. It was highly appreciated. Well done to all involved.
I am glad to hear of that strong commitment. Obviously, I tabled this Commencement matter in advance of yesterday’s budget. The section 481 extension and the certainty that provides are very welcome.
We need a little clarity with regard to the role of the new coimisiún na meán or media commission, particularly with regard to its management of some of the new audiovisual funds such as the new media fund being funded from the content levy, as well as its relationship with Screen Ireland.
The role of promoting Ireland, as the Minister of State said, in Los Angeles, is very important for the consulate and we need to look at ways in which we can continue to resource that to be able to attract international industry here. In the review, perhaps the Department of Finance underestimates the potential benefit of section 481. However, I am glad the research recognised that without section 481, we would not have the current levels of film production based in this country. I am heartened to hear about the existing production. The audiovisual strategy and reports from the Future of Media Commission will have to inform that debate. The fact that the Government is clearly committed to film, television and animation production is very welcome.
I thank the Minister, Deputy Martin, for prioritising this. I am also proud to be in a Fianna Fáil Government coalition because we have provided historic support for the arts over many decades. I am glad that continues in coalition with Fine Gael and the Green Party, in particular. Historic levels of funding are being provided by the Department. It recognises how united the screen industry proved to be by pulling together and working towards a common goal. The screen industry in Ireland provides a tangible economic benefit to our country through jobs, skills development, regional development and production spend on local goods and services.
There is an even more essential cultural value in supporting Irish creative talent, telling Irish stories on screen and connecting with audiences at home and around the world. In uncertain times, we turn to the artist as a guide. Artists provide us with shared experiences that remind us all of the importance of identity, community and belonging through the stories they tell. Times come and go, people come and go and the economy goes up and down but the things created - art, poems, movies and books - stay and offer all of us lessons in times of difficulty.
We will continue to engage with key stakeholders and professionals to understand the challenges in the sector. The Government is absolutely committed to the sector and aware of its importance, not only in terms of jobs and the economy but also because of the intangible benefits the arts provide to society through creativity, writing, composing, directing and producing.
Community Care
Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit.
I thank the Cathaoirleach’s office for choosing this Commencement matter. My colleague, Councillor Eileen Mannion, and I arranged a community meeting in Clifden on Sunday. It was attended by hundreds of people – there was standing room only with people out the door - concerned about the future of Clifden District Hospital, which is used for respite convalescence and has been used for palliative and end-of-life care as well. There is concern because individuals in the community were told by the HSE to take their loved ones out of the facility by 3 p.m. on Sunday or 3 p.m. on Monday. This causes huge concern in the community.
Issues regarding rostering and difficulties between unions and management on the amalgamation of practices between St. Anne’s nursing unit and Clifden District Hospital have had an impact. It is now clear that there is more to this. Issues with recruitment and the availability of nurses and physiotherapists seem to be at the heart of the problem. This is reducing the number of referrals from Galway University Hospital, GUH, which is impacting on the ability to have convalescent and step-down facilities.
I ask that the Government intervene with the community healthcare organisation, CHO, to ensure that it has an appropriate recruitment programme in place for Clifden District Hospital, that it engages with local doctors regarding palliative and end-of-life care and that it ensures there are referrals from GUH for local people who wish to be cared for and visited by their families in the local community.
That was certainly always the case in Clifden District Hospital pre-Covid. Covid changed issues and there is a concern in the community that issues are now at play to downgrade Clifden District Hospital with a view to closing it. We had a commitment - I apologise, I will hand over to my colleague.
I thank the Minister of State for joining us. I attended the meeting in Clifden on Sunday and it was heartbreaking to hear the stories of people, especially family members of older people or those close to the end of their lives, who were phoned on Friday and asked to remove their loved ones from Clifden District Hospital. We also heard from doctors who said they were given no notice. One doctor said he was asked not to make any more referrals for palliative care. There seems to be a real problem around communication in the hospital with the HSE. I joined with my colleagues, Senators Kyne and Crowe, and some of the Deputies for Galway West to meet with the HSE for two hours on Monday but we still do not seem to be able to get to the bottom of the problem.
There is a unity of purpose between my colleagues and I on this very serious issue for Clifden. As has been stated, I certainly got the impression at the meeting that it was a case of death by a thousand cuts. As Senators Kyne and O'Reilly outlined, there is a considerable issue with the increasing population in Clifden and the surrounding areas. We ask the Minister of State for her full support and for an update for the people of Connemara.
I thank the three Senators for raising this important matter. It is great to have a collaborative approach. It is very effective. I am acutely aware of the significant healthcare role that Clifden District Hospital plays and the excellent level of care and support which it provides to patients and their families in the local community and surrounding areas. Just after the meeting the Senators organised on Sunday evening, Deputy Ó Cuív contacted me at approximately 6.10 p.m. to explain the issue to me, exactly as the Senators have done. I asked that evening for a briefing note from the HSE for first thing the following morning in order that I would know exactly what was happening.
As the Senators have said, in recent years, Clifden District Hospital has been primarily designated to provide convalescence care to patients stepping down from acute hospital. However, with the evolution of Sláintecare and the transition of care from acute to community settings, the need for step-down beds has reduced. In fact, the demand for step-down care is currently an average of less than one patient per day.
Clifden District Hospital also provides respite beds to allow family carers in the community a welcome break. Following a meeting with local politicians and residents in July, Community Healthcare West repurposed some of the convalescence beds to accommodate those requiring respite. I have been advised by the HSE that the average respite demand and occupancy is approximately three beds per night. This brings the total average occupancy of Clifden District Hospital to 3.2 beds per night.
In the Clifden area, St. Anne's community nursing unit is a designated centre registered with HIQA to provide a home for older people. My understanding is that it is approximately 1.5 km from Clifden. Unfortunately, St. Anne's has faced significant challenges over many years to secure sufficient nursing staff, despite national, international and local recruitment drives.
In recognition of service needs in the Clifden area and in order to seek to redress the nurse staffing shortage, HSE Community Healthcare West commenced a process two years ago under the Croke Park public service agreement. In August 2022, under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission conciliation services, Community Healthcare West informed the Irish Nursing and Midwives Organisation and SIPTU that it would be issuing a common roster, which commenced on 26 September, covering both Clifden District Hospital and St. Anne's community nursing unit sites in order that staff could be assigned across both sites, based on service needs. The change in rosters involves a change in shift start or finish times of a maximum of 30 minutes and working in one of two locations less than 1.3 km apart.
I have been advised by the HSE that one of the staff representative bodies communicated with the HSE on Friday, 23 September to suggest that it had instructed its members not to co-operate with the revised rosters. Community Healthcare West is committed to ensuring the safety of its residents and patients and, accordingly, put contingency arrangements in place in light of any potential action by staff from 26 September onwards.
Unfortunately, over last weekend, the HSE was unable to secure cover to fill the rosters due to gaps in St. Anne's community nursing unit which the HSE required to fill to ensure the safe care of residents and patients. Community Healthcare West therefore started to develop contingency arrangements for the patients in Clifden District Hospital. Patients and their families were contacted by HSE nurse management and all patients were offered the alternative option of Merlin Park University Hospital should they wish to avail of respite this week. I understand it is approximately 80 km away, which is a long distance. Day care services will continue as normal.
I will clarify that Community Healthcare West has not advised that respite services will end in Clifden District Hospital but simply took contingency measures following advice it received that staff may not co-operate with the new roster. The contingency measures will be implemented only if there are insufficient staff available. In these instances, alternate respite slots can be sought at a later date or patients can be accommodated with a respite bed in Merlin Park. There are no plans to cease respite services in Clifden District Hospital at this time. I have asked the HSE to keep me updated on any developments. I will come back with a further reply.
The Minister of State's reply is similar to what we have received in communication over a long time. There are no plans to cease services but it is happening. Services are being reduced and it is not possible to get palliative care. There is no physiotherapy and therefore there are no referrals. Of course the referrals from GUH have dropped because physiotherapy is not available for those who need convalescence and step-down care. This is the crux of the problem. There is a problem with recruitment that needs to be addressed by the community healthcare organisation, CHO. I ask that the Minister of State intervenes with the CHO to ensure there is adequate recruitment to the facility.
We appreciate the Minister of State coming here. It is an urgent issue. While we have heard this response before, there is a lack of clarity, otherwise we would not have had a two-hour-long meeting with the HSE and still not have got any further on Monday. It needs to be addressed. As the Minister of State said, the nearest facility is 80 km away. It is not acceptable for the people of Connemara to not have their district hospital operational.
The major issue here is referrals. As Senators Kyne and O'Reilly outlined, the issue is that the hospital is not getting the referrals in, which creates uncertainty. The Minister of State alluded to the cost of travelling 80 km on a two-hour journey to Merlin Park. It is not feasible or possible. I ask the Minister of State to do all within her remit to support us on this vital cause.
I assure the Senators that I will treat this with the utmost importance. Unfortunately, short-stay capacity in public hospitals and community nursing units can be impacted for a number of reasons including HIQA standards, infection prevention and control requirements and staffing challenges. The new rostering system was put in place and contingency measures were implemented to ensure respite services will continue.
Having listened to the Senators and spoken to some of their colleagues in the past day or two, I think there are two issues here. The first is staffing. There has to be a dedicated approach to try to find staff in the short term to continue these services. The second is that we need to get a bit of urgency around the new community nursing unit proposed for that area in which Clifden District Hospital and St. Anne's community nursing unit will amalgamate. My focus will be there.
I have every intention of speaking with the chief officer in Community Healthcare West to see exactly what is happening on the ground. It is very frustrating when there is no communication on rosters because, at the end of the day, vulnerable people are affected the most.
I was here last week answering a question from Senator Lombard on challenges with regard to beds in Bantry hospital for people with enduring mental health conditions. It strikes me that these are two very rural areas which nonetheless have considerable catchment areas. Asking an elderly person who requires respite to travel to Merlin Park, which is 80 km away, is very difficult and is not fair. The Senators have my support in trying to find a resolution.
Cuireadh an Seanad ar fionraí ar 11.20 a.m. agus cuireadh tús leis arís ar 11.32 a.m.
Sitting suspended at 11.20 a.m. and resumed at 11.32 a.m.