The Taoiseach Enda Kenny has been working closely with the Department of Health on Marian House for the last number of months. There is no danger of Marian House closing and HIQA will work with the facility to extend deadlines until funding is secured for the facility. This had been communicated to the management on a number of occasions, said a spokesperson for the Taoiseach this week.
The spokesperson said: "Marian House is a vital service for the people of Mayo and the staff do a wonderful job. The Taoiseach will continue to work hard for the families of those affected by Alzheimer's and was glad to be able to secure funding for Mayo Community Action on Dementia recently and is confident that Marian House can be brought up to HIQA standards in the near future.
"This Government has delivered for older people in Mayo with over €15.5 million being granted to units in Mayo to upgrade to HIQA standards in the last two years alone. €15.5m funding has been granted to Mayo units to upgrade or replace in order to meet HIQA standards in the last two years. €13,480,000 has been granted to replace the Sacred Heart Home in Castlebar, €680,000 was granted to St Augustine's Community Nursing Unit in Ballina, €450,000 for Belmullet District Hospital (including Aras Deirbhile ), €420,000 for St Fionnan's Community Nursing Unit in Achill, €280,000 for the Dalton Community Nursing Unit in Claremorris and €260,000 for the McBride Home in Westport."
The spokesperson concluded: "Funding issues take time to resolve and the Taoiseach will continue to work on this and many other deserving cases across the county. Again it is important to stress that there is no threat to the closure of Marian House."
