I thank Deputy Aird for raising this very important matter. On Wednesday, 4 February 2026, following an application by HIQA under section 59 of the Health Act 2007, an order was made by Portlaoise District Court cancelling the registration of Droimnín nursing home. The HSE was directed to step in and take over operational control of the centre, acting as the provider of last resort. The focus at this time is to ensure the safety, care and welfare of the residents living in the nursing home while longer-term arrangements are progressed. The Deputy has already alluded to that. Droimnín nursing home is situated in Stradbally, County Laois. The nursing home was registered to accommodate up to 70 residents and to provide long-term, respite and step-down care. HIQA inspections in April and September 2025 identified significant and persistent non-compliance across a range of regulations with issues identified pertaining to governance and management, staffing and training, care planning and healthcare and residents’ rights and complaints procedures. HIQA subsequently sought cancellation of the centre’s registration, leading to the court direction requiring HSE intervention. At the time, the HSE assumed control, there were 39 residents living in Droimnín nursing home. We must ensure that the highest standards of care are provided to all nursing home residents and ensure they are maintained in a safe and secure environment. Their safety and well-being are of paramount concern. The HSE has put an interim management and clinical governance structure in place, including the appointment of a person in charge, supported by senior operational and clinical teams. Arrangements are in place to ensure appropriate staffing, payroll and clinical oversight. Following the HSE intervention, the 39 residents have benefitted from consultant geriatrician reviews and individual GP correspondence, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and tissue viability nursing input, and access to education and training programmes for staff. The HSE’s intervention is solely focused on protecting residents in Droimnín nursing home and ensuring continuity of safe, appropriate care. Residents in Droimnín nursing home remain in place and are being cared for in a safe, supportive environment. The situation continues to be actively monitored at senior HSE level with daily oversight and contingency planning in place. The HSE has assured me that it will keep the position under review while engaging with HIQA and other stakeholders on the next steps. Ensuring the welfare and safety of the residents is secured is of the utmost importance, and work to alleviate the concerns of residents, their families and staff is a priority during this difficult time. I know how important this is to Deputy Aird. He knows many of the residents in Droimnín nursing home. I met with the HSE in the days following the HSE taking over the nursing home and discussed clearly the procedure that we are putting in place. As the Deputy said, it has moved to put a range of measures in place in terms of the welfare and safety of residents. All options have been explored by the HSE for Droimnín nursing home. The particular issue the Deputy has put forward is being considered by the HSE as well. At this moment, however, the most important thing is to ensure the welfare and safety of residents and that they feel they are in secure environment in Droimnín nursing home. That is very much happening with the HSE in situ operating the nursing home.

Sentiment score: 0.35

Once again, I thank Deputy Aird for raising this important matter of Droimnín nursing home in Stradbally. As I said earlier, all options are being explored by the HSE. Specifically, in terms of St. Vincent's in Mountmellick, I know the Deputy has a keen interest in that community nursing home run by the HSE. I would like to give him clarity on a couple of points. First, the church will continue to be accessed by residents and staff, as required, and the day care will remain operational in its current location. The specific point the Deputy raised in respect of linking the new building and the church is something I will take up with the HSE. I have no doubt the Deputy will have written to the HSE on it in his own way. It is expected that the existing residents' transition to the new building will be during the week beginning 23 March. Furthermore, as the Deputy is aware, the eight-bed dementia unit will continue to operate in the existing building. The HSE is looking at doing a feasibility study on the existing building to see what can be done within it and its utilisation across a range of areas, including additional rehab and long-stay and short-stay beds in the community nursing unit, CNU. That is a general summary of where we are with St. Vincent's in Mountmellick. The residents will transition very shortly. It is a 58-bed unit consisting of 57 long-stay beds and one short-stay bed. I will take that particular issue the Deputy raised in respect of the church up with the HSE and I ask him to follow up with it as well. I will finish on Droimnín nursing home. It is worthwhile to acknowledge and thank both HIQA and the HSE for their prompt and personal response to the situation. As I said, poor care, mistreatment, neglect or any form of abuse of any person living in long-term care is completely unacceptable. The primary focus is ensuring that we protect the safety and welfare of the 39 residents in Droimnín nursing home. That is obviously the key focus. In terms of the other matter the Deputy raised, all options are being explored by the HSE.

Sentiment score: 0.17