Results 1-20 of 26,432 for speaker:Kieran O'Donnell

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Facilities (20 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I thank Deputies Stanley and Aird for raising this matter. As I said earlier, the HSE is currently reviewing matters in respect of phase 2 and, more particularly, in respect of the use of the existing building in terms of pure logistics. The person in charge is in contact with HIQA. There was a request for a preliminary visit of the area in respect of the new building and specifically in...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Facilities (20 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is good to see such strong cross-party representation from the constituency of Laois. On the particular matter Deputy Stanley raised, there are two aspects. They are currently reviewing the scope for additional works under phase 2. More particularly, both Deputies raised the point in respect of the existing building. I followed up with the HSE yesterday in advance of our debate. I got...

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Hospital Facilities (20 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: St. Vincent's Community Nursing Unit, Mountmellick, County Laois, is a public nursing home that currently provides 56 long-stay beds and one short-stay bed. Phase 1 of the current capital project for St. Vincent's consists of a new two-storey development containing 50 single en suite rooms adjacent and linked to the existing facility. The project is expected to be construction complete in...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: First, I suppose the-----

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: To bring home support forward, in terms of the outturn for this year versus next year, we are looking at a 7.4% increase in the budget itself, or €82 million. The home support hours involve a Supplementary Estimate of €22 million. I take the Deputy's point. We are always trying to provide more hours. What was budgeted for was 24 million hours. That will end up at around 25...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: On nursing homes, we are looking at a Supplementary Estimate of around €23 million. There are roughly 309 additional clients in terms of the nursing home itself. The percentage underspend-----

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Sorry, but just very quickly, the percentage Supplementary Estimate here is very low. It is about 1.8%. Nevertheless, we want to see the forecasting be more attuned. I think the key focus is that, in 2026, we will have built in a reasonable increase of about 7% for both nursing home and home support. Obviously, we want to build on that.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: On the two issues raised regarding the new unit in Killarney, I met with representatives from HSE estates and the HSE last week. I can confirm that there will be a handover in about three or four week's time. We are looking to have it in operation by quarter 1 of next year.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Absolutely.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: The first quarter of 2026, which is a positive story. I take the point on Cahersiveen. It is to do with recruiting the staff. We have met with the HSE, and we will follow up with it. The final point was on bed capacity. We are doing an overall review of bed capacity in its entirety. We are doing a body of work at the moment with the HSE, and certainly those points will be factored in....

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: That should not be the case.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: He has been approved for home care. I do not know the specific circumstances. Will the Deputy, with the approval of the gentleman, send it to me and I will follow up?

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: That offer is there.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: We have an increase of €82 million in the service. Roughly on the outturn it is about 7.4% on last year. We want to continue to increase that.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: There are a number, as the Deputy is aware. I do not know the specifics about this gentleman. I have met the HSE and through the letter of determination, I want the extra funding to specifically target individual areas where there are long waiting lists and individuals on them. A lot of it is about recruitment of staff. There will be a focus geographically but also on the particular...

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: I appreciate that but there are particular circumstances in particular areas where there is a problem with recruitment of staff. That is something I have met the HSE about.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: The additional cost in respect of private nursing homes was €4 million.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Under the legislation, in a range of situations - if HIQA or whoever else moves in - the HSE has to step in and run the nursing home.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: It is a measure of last resort.

Select Committee on Health: Estimates for Public Services 2025
Vote 38 - Health (Supplementary) (19 Nov 2025)

Kieran O'Donnell: Let me explain this more specifically and then we can move on to the more general point. On the nursing homes, the HSE is required to step in. Some of those nursing homes go back into private ownership. In specific situations, there is a requirement for the HSE to step in because we must keep nursing homes open, particularly for the residents. Traditionally, public nursing homes would...