Senator Bacik Raises Concerns about St Mary’s Nursing Home

Labour Seanad Group Leader and spokesperson on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration, Senator Ivana Bacik has today welcomed comments by the Minister of State at the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, Mary Butler TD, made in response to a Commencement Matter tabled before the Seanad by Senator Bacik this morning.

Senator Bacik said,

“One thing that has been made clear this morning in relation to the very concerning situation at St. Mary’s Nursing Home is that the Sisters of Charity, who own the centre, have not acted with decency towards either staff or residents – or indeed towards the HSE. Minister Butler revealed this morning that the HSE had been informed by the board of directors that the nursing home was going into voluntary liquidation as late as the 23^rd of July, information contrary to what the board and management had advised the HSE up until the previous week. This is shockingly short notice and does not demonstrate a commitment to the public good or to the welfare of vulnerable persons in the care of St. Mary’s.

“The Department of Health has a key role to play in resolving this issue. The HSE funds the centre and many of the houses and apartments on-site were built using Dublin City Council funds; the State’s duty of care to residents and staff is evident.

“I welcome Minister Butler’s commitment to ensuring continued engagement by the HSE with those affected. This situation has been extremely difficult for everybody involved and for their families. Time is of the essence and the Department of Health must now act quickly to address the hurt and trauma experienced by those residents whose lives have been up-ended. I will continue to press this issue.”

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COMMENCEMENT MATTER – Senator Ivana Bacik – Thursday 1^st October 2020  

The need for the Minister for Health to make a statement on St Mary’s Centre (Telford) Nursing Home, Dublin 4 is be raised in the Seanad this morning.