Day care services at two nursing homes in Clare will be temporarily suspended on Monday due to staff shortages.
Day centres at Raheen Community Nursing Unit in Tuamgraney and Regina House in Kilrush will remain closed for two weeks to allow the transfer of nursing staff into residential facilities.
The Health Service Executive has dismissed rumours that a lack of financial resources is behind the decision saying contributory factors include annual leave, sick leave and the unavailability of agency staff.
In a statement to ClareFM, the HSE says its a short term measure which "recognises the primary responsibility to provide safe care to residents" and to "ensure the availability of access to respite residential services" for the elderly.
Clare TD Timmy Dooley has decribed the decision to close the centres as "outrageous".
Meanwhile East Clare TD Michael McNamara says provisions must be put in place to prevent these closures at the county's health facilites.
