Full respite services are expected to be restored at Merlin Park Community Nursing Unit by August of this year.
Minister of State Mary Butler said that all of the 13 respite beds at Merlin Park are expected to be back in action after the completion of remedial works.
She was speaking in response to a question by Galway West TD Catherine Connolly, who asked when respite services will be restored to pre-pandemic levels.
There are currently 10 publicly funded beds open in Galway, of which seven are at Merlin Park Hospital.
Minister Butler said that a number of beds at Merlin Park which were operational before the pandemic, were closed so that remedial works could take place to ensure HIQA compliance.
“The HSE confirmed that remedial works are complete and envision that the 13 respite beds will be operational by August 2022.”
She added that measures have been taken to mitigate the lower number of public beds currently available in Galway.
“Emergency respite protocol is in operation linking with families to provide emergency respite through in-home supports or placement in nursing homes.”
“Day services continue to reopen across Galway assisting families in caring for their family members at home.”
There are also a further 12 beds available through the charity Western Alzheimer’s, which has short stay units in Mayo and Athenry.
The Minister said that providing respite beds is an essential part of services for older people, and that increasing this provision in Galway is a priority.
