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08 Sept 2025
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08 Sept 2025
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Pictured: Portlaoise Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald slams 'harrowing scenes' from The Residence, Portlaoise nursing home
Following RTÉ's recent exposé into The Residence Portlaoise nursing home, a Laois Councillor has called for answers.
Fianna Fáil Portlaoise Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald has called for a meeting with Minister Kieran O’Donnell, Minister for Older People and Housing, along with HIQA representatives.
The documentary uncovered 'systematic failures' in the Portlaoise nursing home.
"Following on from the distressing and harrowing scenes we saw on last night’s programme on The Residence in Portlaoise," Cllr Fitzgerald said.
"I have requested a meeting with Minister Kieran O’Donnell , Minister for Older People and Housing. I’ve also asked for HIQA representatives to attend.
"I’ve a lot of questions I’d like to get answered. Not least following up from today’s revelation that HIQA had stopped admissions months ago. Did the HSE pay their bill?" the Cllr questioned.
Admissions to The Residence nursing home in Portlaoise ceased at the end of April due to issues identified in a series reports by the health watchdog HIQA following inspections and other warnings about the care provided.
The Health Information and Equality Authority revealed information to the Leinster Express / Laios Live after issuing a statement following the exposé of substandard care provided at The Residence nursing home located off Portlaoise's Mountmellick Road.
Emeis Ireland runs the home, which opened in 2023. The RTÉ investigates programme also featured a Dublin facility which is also run by the French-owned operation.
The condition placed on The Residence states: "No new residents may be admitted to the designated centre until the registered provider has in place a governance and management structure and personnel with the knowledge, competence and skills required to supervise the delivery of care to residents."
The Leinster Express / Laois Live have asked HIQA if The Residence accepted new admissions after the condition came into effect.
HIQA outlined further action.
"However, we are very concerned about the practices described in the programme and we have engaged directly with those responsible for the operation of the nursing homes. Our function as a regulator is to ensure that providers are protecting those who use services and ensuring residents are receiving safe, quality care and support.
"Accordingly, we will be taking the necessary actions with the provider to ensure safe and effective care and support to all residents," said the statement.
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