Leo Varadkar was replying to a question from Cork Sinn Féin TD Thomas Gould in the Dáil yesterday
It follows the announcement that Mount Cara respite care home in Blackpool is to close.
The decision to close the Redemption Road facility, which provides temporary care for older people, was made public earlier this month prompting concern about the loss of the service and the futures of the 15 residents.
Speaking at a meeting of the Dáil at the Convention Centre, Deputy Gould says the Programme for Government outlines a commitment to older people and is calling on the HSE to take over the running of the home:
