Mattie McGrath disputes minister's St Bridges Hospital claims
Deputy Mattie McGrath challenged the minister over statements about the closure and status of St Bridges Hospital, saying the minister's claims were incorrect and misleading. He disputed the minister's account of the hospital's age, the existence of HICWA and fire-safety reports, and urged a correction on the floor of the house.
Allegation of incorrect age claim
The deputy said the minister stated the hospital was over 200 years old, but insisted "it is in fact 180 years old," calling the minister's remark untrue and misleading. The minister later responded in the Dáil that the building was constructed in 1817.
Claims about HICWA and safety reports
The deputy said the minister had referred to HICWA reports to justify that the hospital was no longer fit for purpose and alleged that such a report was not available. He also disputed claims of fire-safety issues, saying the last fire report in 2019 deemed the hospital fit and safe.
Status and use of the hospital
The deputy argued the hospital should not have been closed. The minister replied that the building has been repurposed, that it has not closed, and that there are currently 24 people working in the hospital as part of a community healthcare network supporting people with chronic disease and diabetes.
Parliamentary exchange and requested correction
Deputy McGrath asked for the record to be set straight and requested the minister correct the allegedly misleading and false information on the floor of the house. The exchange ended after time was called and the minister made a brief statement in response.
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It may be aware or may not that the Calc and Shure of St Bridges Hospital Committee are meeting the Christians Committee here in Dublin today. During the order of business on the 18th of January, Minister Mary Butler gave a response to questions I raised in relation to the closure of St Bridges Hospital. I am asking the record of the house being set straight, because the Minister stated that the hospital was over 200 years old. It is in fact 180 years old. That is clearly untrue and misleading. The Minister stated that it was no longer fit for purposes deemed by HICWA reports. Therefore, that is incorrect and misleading, because you provide a report from HICWA that states that we cannot get it or you do not have that report. Additionally, the Minister stated that there were health and safety issues regarding fire. There are no such reports either. The last fire report was in 2019, which deemed the hospital fit and safe. I was many times in it. The hospital should not have been closed. But it is bad enough to have you closed it, but to give misleading and false information. Will you correct the misleading and false information on the floor of the house? Thank you, Deputy. Time is up. Time is up. Minister Butler. I have a piece of information I said in the Dáil. The building was constructed in 1817. I got a report again today in relation to the HIC attendance committee. Deputy, just so you will know, the hospital has been repurposed. It has not closed. There are currently 24 people working in the hospital. It is a community healthcare network supporting people with chronic disease, supporting people with diabetes and helping people to live well and age well in the community. Thank you, Minister Butler. Thank you, Minister Butler.
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