Sale issues keep 17 nursing home beds unoccupied in West Cork

A Cork TD has said there is a huge need for more nursing home beds in his constituency, but 17 are closed off due to issues with the sale of one nursing home.

Independent Ireland leader and Cork South West TD Michael Collins raised the Aperee Living Bantry nursing home in the Dáil during the week, saying: “That is a crisis situation. The liquidator has it sold but there is a problem with Hiqa and the liquidator.” 

The centre can accommodate 50 residents. However, there were only 29 residents there on the most recent inspection at the end of last year, as work was happening on parts of the centre.

Mr Collins said the number of empty beds had risen since, saying: “17 beds are available there to be delivered for the people. 

"It is very important that this would be looked into immediately and that Hiqa would be asked to sit down with the liquidator, tell him the issues and get on with the sale of the nursing home.

“These 17 beds are closed and they had been brought up to full standard so we could allow people in.” He continued: “I have people all over west Cork pleading with me for a bed. Good God, they are pleading with me for a bed in a nursing home and to think there are 17 there.

“It is just a little bit of paperwork. It is no longer anything to do with the condition because the home has been brought up to standard. 

"The sale has been almost approved but there is something holding up getting it across the line and people are suffering.”