At present the North Western Health Board has 116 long-stay beds available for the elderly population of Inishowen. The number of people aged 65 and over in the Inishowen area is 3,208 — source 1991 census. This gives a bed ratio of 36.25 beds per thousand population over 65 which is currently the highest provision in County Donegal and compares very favourably with the norm for long-stay beds recommended in The Years Ahead, ten beds per 1,000 population.
The 1991 census of population figures for Inishowen indicate that there has been an 11.5 per cent decline in the elderly population in the area on the previous census period. This trend of decline in the numbers of elderly looks set to continue for some time. As a result the North Western Health Board does not perceive a need for an extension to the community nursing unit in Buncrana.
I might add that the implementation of the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990 last September provides the health board with another option in meeting the needs of the dependent elderly in the Inishowen area locally and flexibly.
