I propose to take Questions Nos. 237 to 240, inclusive, together.
Cherry Orchard Hospital is a designated centre for the care of older people located on the Hospital campus in Ballyfermot, Dublin 10. The Centre comprises five units: Beech, Aspen, Hazel, Willow and Sycamore, housing 95 residents in total. There are 67 residents in the Willow and Sycamore Units and 118 staff.
In May 2023, a HIQA inspection identified concerns in relation to the flooring in both the Sycamore and Willow Units at Cherry Orchard Hospital. These presented a significant potential health and safety risk. A subsequent HSE review indicated that the flooring has underlying structural issues which require immediate remedial work.
The HSE has decided to close both Units and relocate the residents to Clondalkin Lodge, which is a private nursing home, on a temporary basis while the necessary structural works are completed. It is expected that the works will take a minimum of 1 year to complete. This decision was made to ensure the timely completion of the works and, ultimately, to be less intrusive and inconvenient to residents.
In consultation with HIQA, the HSE has considered several plans to address the works required that would have allowed residents to remain on-site during completion of works. However, it was agreed that to ensure health and safety of residents the units would close while the works were being carried out. This is in order to minimise disruption to residents and to comply with the HIQA requirement for a shorter timeline for the completion of works. The safety and wellbeing of residents and staff is the primary concern.
The HSE is working in consultation with residents, their families and staff while giving full consideration to health and safety concerns and regulatory compliance. There is on-going monitoring and risk assessment to ensure that there is no immediate hazard to residents.
The HSE has assured me that all residents will remain under the overall care of the HSE and that all supports that residents receive in Cherry Orchard will be provided at no additional cost to the residents transferred to Clondalkin Lodge.
As parts of the Deputy’s questions are an operational matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Question No. 238 answered with Question No. 237.
Question No. 239 answered with Question No. 237.
Question No. 240 answered with Question No. 237.