Deputy Burton has welcomed the news that patients and staff of Unit 3, Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown will be staying together when they are moved from Unit 3 in January 2007.

The lands on which Unit 3, part of the elderly care section of the hospital, are currently located were sold to a developer in1999 and are to be handed over on the 1st of January, 2007. Refurbishment of the new permanent accommodation for the patients of Unit 3 will not be completed by next January, and so they will have to move to temporary accommodation.

While the location for the temporary accommodation has not yet been confirmed, hospital management have confirmed to relatives of patients in Unit 3 that it will be within the hospital campus.

Deputy Burton said, “This is positive news for concerned relatives of patients in Unit 3, Connolly hospital who are facing a big upheaval in January. I am calling again on the Minister to confirm the location of the temporary accommodation at the earliest possible time to allow patients and relatives peace of mind to start planning for the move.”