Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 May 2021
649. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Health the status of a sustainability plan for a centre (details supplied) in County Dublin; if the HSE will consider expediting this plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23189/21]
View answerThe Minister for Health and I met with representatives from St Joseph’s on Friday 22nd January. Following this meeting, St Joseph’s has raised further concerns about the ongoing operations of the service.
As Ministers, we must have regard to the legislative and policy framework regarding the funding of private and voluntary nursing homes, including the statutory independence of the National Treatment Purchase Fund, as set out in the Nursing Home Support Scheme Act 2009.
I recognise that St Joseph’s performs an important service to the local area as a nursing home with a focus on dementia care. I also am conscious of the fact that Saint Joseph’s is a not-for-profit nursing home that also provides voluntary services to the HSE such as respite and day care.
On that basis, I have requested that the HSE engage directly with St Joseph’s on this matter and I understand that initial engagement between the HSE and St Joseph's has commenced.
