4. Notices of Motion
(a) Cllr Marie Moloney moved the following Motion, standing in her name:
“I propose that an application be made for funding for extra ambulance staff and paramedics to provide a second ambulance the Killarney area.”
A written response from Mr Rob Moriarty, General Manager Cork and Kerry, NAS, was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Moloney highlighted that Killarney’s high tourism levels require a second ambulance to manage the influx of visitors. Mr. Rob Moriarty, General Manager National Ambulance Service, informed the members that additional funding has just been secured to provide additional paramedics for the Killarney area, as well as for Cork City and West Cork. The service will examine the deployment of these additional resources to maximise their impact in those areas. Priscilla Lynch, IHA Manager, added that initiatives such as Pathfinder and the Urgent Virtual Care (UVC) services have been very successful, and she stated that NAS staff will soon be able get patients triaged via the UVC hub.
(b) Cllr Mikey Sheehy moved the following Motion, standing in his name:
“The latest update from HSE was that new Oncology build at UHK was at stage 1 design. Can you advise what is the current status of this Capital project.”
A written response from Mr Daniel Clifford, Director of Estates, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Mr Clifford confirmed that the Oncology Services Project at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) remains within the HSE’s National Capital Programme. A Development Control Plan for the UHK campus is currently under way to determine how best to integrate the new oncology development, including an aseptic compounding unit, within the long-term campus strategy. The HSE reaffirmed its commitment to progressing this vital service for the South West region. There were questions raised about the future of the chapel in UHK and Mr Daniel Clifford confirmed that there are no plans to remove the chapel.
Cllr Sheehy thanked HSE Management for the response and acknowledged the work that has gone in to the project to date.
(c) Cllr Jackie Healy Rae moved the following Motion, standing in his name:
“What plans have the HSE in place to expand the number of respite beds in Kerry for people with intellectual disabilities?
A written response from Ms Julie O’Neill, IHA Manager Kerry, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Healy Rae welcomed the update but emphasised the critical need for more respite beds to support families, a sentiment echoed by other Forum members. Ms. Lynch confirmed that expanding respite services remains a priority for HSE South West and she highlighted the Minister’s recent announcement regarding funding for two new respite houses in the Kerry area. Mr. Clifford gave an update on these houses, noting that each house will feature four bedrooms, with the potential for a third house to be constructed on one of the locations.
(d) Cllr Peter Horgan moved the following Motion, standing in his name:
“To ask if the HSE has conducted any research on the benefiting limiting vape products to pharmacy only sales like in Australia and if there is research if they will share it with members of this forum.”
A written response from Dr Anne Sheehan, Director of Public Health, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Horgan acknowledged the response and requested that the forum support his motion to request that the HSE carry out research on both the positive and negative effect of limiting the sale of vape products to pharmacies only. Ms Lynch stated that while there is no research on a pharmacy‑only model the HSE at national level has been very active in responding to rising youth vaping rates. She briefed the members on the recently launched HSE National Youth Vaping and Nicotine Prevention Campaign which is aimed directly at young people. Cllr Horgan commended the HSE on its work over the last two years on Vaping and once again asked that this Forum request this research and lead the way on this research on Vaping. Mr Jonathan Hoare agreed with Cllr Horgan that the Regional Health Forum has been very vocal on vaping in the past two years and highlighted that the work of this Forum had informed some aspects of the National campaign. The motion was passed by the members.
(e) Cllr Norma Moriarty moved the following Motion, standing in his name:
“That diabetic nurse services be re-established in South West Kerry for outpatients. Currently many have to travel over 50 miles to Tralee to avail of a service and essential treatment.”
A written response from Ms Julie O’Neill, IHA Manager Kerry, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Moriarty acknowledged the response but explained that additional hours to this clinic are needed to meet the needs of those using the services as not all are being seen in Caherciveen and some service users still have to travel to Tralee. Ms Lynch informed the members that the Kerry Chronic Disease Hub delivers integrated care for people living with long‑term conditions, including diabetes, by providing community‑based specialist services that reduce the need for travel to acute hospitals. The hub supports GPs by providing structured assessment, education, ongoing monitoring, and referral pathways for chronic disease patients.
(f) Cllr Dominic Finn moved the following Motion, standing in his name:
“While I want to sincerely compliment the HSE for engaging with Cobh Community Hospital last December, can I ask for an update with regards to future viable funding being agreed for Cobh Community Hospital along with an update as to how talks are progressing and a timeframe for completion of same?”
A written response from Ms Sonya Cotter, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Cork North and East, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Finn paid tribute to the work carried out at the hospital and its benefit both to the local community and to the HSE.
He acknowledged the financial support which the HSE has provided to the hospital and welcomed that dialogue in ongoing between the HSE and the hospital management.
(g) Cllr Ann Bambury moved the following Motion, standing in her name:
“This Council calls on the HSE South West to undertake a comprehensive review of all community hospital settings and HSE-funded day care centres within its remit to ensure that accessible, safe, and meaningful outdoor recreational facilities are available for residents and service users. The creation and enhancement of outdoor spaces presents a valuable opportunity to foster intergenerational connection within our communities. Well-designed gardens and outdoor areas could facilitate collaborative projects involving local schools, Tidy Towns committees, and community allotment groups. Also that the HSE ensures that future refurbishment or development of community hospitals and HSE-funded day care centres incorporates high-quality outdoor spaces as a core component of care and service delivery.”
A written response from Ms Sonya Cotter, Integrated Healthcare Area Manager Cork North and East, HSE South West was circulated to members and noted. Cllr Bambury thanked the HSE for the response and informed members that she had visited many day care and residential settings she felt that time spent in the outdoors in nature can destressdistress, improved mood and enhance cognitive function and support physical recovery. For Older adults to step outside safely can improve their standard of care. Ms Lynch thanked Cllr Bambury for her suggestions and strongly supported initiatives that build meaningful links between healthcare settings and local communities. The response provided shows the direction of travel in terms of the provision of outdoor recreational facilities for service users. The HSE are very open to engaging with agencies within the communities including tidy towns and she fully supported the motion. Mr Clifford spoke about Kanturk and Clonakilty Community Hospitals as examples of having high quality outdoor areas, Millstreet and Macroom are in progress. As the Community Hospitals are being extended and refurbishedrefurbished, Estates have been factoring in outdoor areas in those plans, which is best practice. In addition to this there is a current review being undertaken in Estates to look at what has been achieved and what needs to be carried out.