Tipperary Sinn Féin TD Martin Browne has called for a decision to be made on the location of the long-awaited 60 bed community nursing unit(CNU) for Cashel.
Since February 2023 the HSE are said to be assessing a site it owns at Palmers Hill, Cashel for suitability for the unit after deeming the originally selected site at St Patrick’s hospital to be too small.
Deputy Brown says the need for action on the CNU in Cashel is increasing, given the fact that there are over 1,000 fewer public beds in the nursing home sector than in 2014 despite a rapidly aging population.
Deputy Brown is highlighting an ESRI report which warns that a lack of state investment in public facilities will lead to difficulties as the sector becomes dominated by private equity-backed corporate providers.
Deputy Browne wants the Fair Deal Scheme to be reformed to support smaller, private local providers.
Deputy Browne says the lack of action in relating to the Cashel CNU on the part of both the HSE and the Department of Health will be raised in the Dáil which is due to return tomorrow after being on Christmas recess since December 14th.
