Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 31 Jan 1995

Vol. 448 No. 3

Written Answers. - Western Health Board Services.

Séamus Hughes

Question:

75 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health if he has satisfied himself with the absence of residential and nursing units for the elderly in the South Mayo/North Galway area; his views on the fact that those persons must leave their immediate communities when such long term care is necessary in view of the priority given to this project by the Western Health Board; and whether he will provide sufficient funding to commence design for a home for the elderly in Ballinobe, County Mayo the Estimates for 1995. [1961/95]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): Responsibility for providing extra residential and nursing units in the South Mayo-North Galway area is a matter for the Western Health Board, in the first instance.

I realise that the South Mayo-North Galway is a large area and that elderly people have to leave their immediate communities when long term care is necessary. My Department has received an application from the Western Health Board for the provision of a home for the elderly in Ballinrobe. However, before I can give approval to the project, I must take into account the other priorities of the Western Health Board and competing demands for capital funding for other health services.