Resolution found to Roscrea crisis
A LACK of publicly funded long-stay beds for the elderly in Roscrea has been be resolved, local TDs announced this week.
Fianna Fáil TD Jackie Cahill confirmed that the Minister for Older People, Mary Butler, has reached an agreement between the HSE and the Mount Carmel Nursing Home that will see Roscrea’s long-stay nursing home beds remaining in Roscrea.
Deputy Cahill said he and Roscrea councillor Michael Smith had been working with their Fianna Fáil colleagues in Government to secure the future of the long-stay beds for Roscrea, which are currently located in the Dean Maxwell Community Nursing Home.
Deputy Cahill said: “The Fianna Fáil Minister for Older People, Mary Butler has informed me that an agreement has finally been reached that will see the long-stay beds for the people of Roscrea, remaining in Roscrea. I know that this will come with great relief to local people in Roscrea, who had been worried that the long-term care for their elderly would be moved out of the town and over to Nenagh.
“Thankfully, following extensive discussions with Minister Butler, the then Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Minister Michael McGrath, and other key officials, I can confirm that the HSE has reached an agreement to purchase Mount Carmel Nursing Home, which is adjacent to the Dean Maxwell, as a going concern.
“This means that the Dean Maxwell campus has been expanded, through securing the 30 beds in the Mount Carmel Nursing Home as a going concern. I am pleased to know that the long-term, short-term, respite and day care facilities will all remain on campus, in the heart of Roscrea, for the people of Roscrea.”
The decision has also been welcomed by Independent TD Michael Lowry, who said it marked a major move forward for elderly care in Roscrea. He said: “Since the formation of this Government, I have publicly made the provision elderly care in Roscrea my political priority. Maintaining and utilising the cherished Dean Maxwell Home on its existing site is something that is of paramount importance to the people of Roscrea.”
Deputy Alan Kelly also welcomed the development. He added: “This is positive news with regards to retaining long-stay beds in the town. Questions still remain however with regards to the overall complement of facilities and beds that will be available in the town with the changes to Dean Maxwell.”