Long-delayed nursing home in Killarney could open in August

The new nursing home in Killarney is set to replace St Columbanus' Home and the Killarney Community Hospital. File picture: Jerry O'Sullivan/ Radio Kerry

A long-delayed nursing home in Killarney could open in the coming weeks, the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO) has said.

The new home had been expected to be completed by 2024, alongside six other units planned for locations including Cork and Tipperary.

However, they all faced long delays around the handover from builders Equisisk to the HSE under a public-private partnership. 

The union said agreement has now been reached at the Workplace Relations Commission around staffing for Killarney. 

INMO assistant director of industrial relations Liam Conway said the talks also involved Siptu and Fórsa.

The unions now expect “the unit to open safely on a phased basis from August 10th”.

He said: “Ensuring recruitment continues for the staff required to operate the unit safely is essential if the facility is to open at its full capacity. 

"The INMO will continue to monitor the implementation of this agreement."

Julie O'Neill, HSE National Director and Integrated Health Area Manager for Kerry, said: “I welcome the agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission, enabling us to proceed with the opening of our new community nursing unit in Killarney. 

"I would like to thank everyone involved in reaching this agreement and acknowledge the constructive engagement of all parties.”

The nursing home will replace St Columbanus' Home and the Killarney Community Hospital. 

The latter has been the focus of several critical Hiqa reports. 

In December the regulator said mould in the dementia unit posed “a significant health hazard" for vulnerable residents.