A Leitrim TD says families are upset over the closure of beds at two local care facilities due to refurbishments works.
Martin Kenny believes it's unfortunate improvements at St. Patrick's Hospital and Arus Carolan are underway at the same time, forcing some people to travel long distances to see their loved ones.
Ten beds have been temporarily closed at the Carrick-on-Shannon facility while a further ten are also closed at the Mohill centre.
The HSE say due to the scale of the improvements and the need for fire regulation compliance at the community hospital, the unit in question will remain closed until mid April 2023.
Fire safety works and internal maintenance is expected take six months to complete at Arus Carolan.
Deputy Kenny says while the works are necessary to meet HIQA standards, it has caused frustration for some families.
''I do know that they were quite discommoded and quite annoyed that this happened and that they couldn't if you like, take people from Arus Carolan and put them into Carrick and Shannon while one was being done and then vice versa the other way around, because it's quite stressful because patients have to be moved out and you know, some families have had patients move to nursing homes and other facilities quite a distance away.''
