Under the National Development Plan 2001-2006 a total of £14.77 million was allocated to the South Eastern Health Board for capital investment in the development of services for older people. It is a matter for the board to decide its priority development projects within the national development plan. In this context the board has submitted a list of priority projects, which encompasses the provision of new community hospitals and elderly mentally infirm units, upgrading of facilities and the provision of additional day care centres.
The board has advised that within the context of its overall development plans a further £67 million approximately would be required to develop both community and hospital based services for older people. The Government provided considerable additional revenue resources in 2001 in respect of services for older people and the need to further develop residential and community facilities for older people will continue to be given priority. In this connection, a new health strategy is being prepared by my Department which will encompass a number of specific areas for priority service development, including services for older people. My Department will continue to liaise with the South Eastern Health Board in relation to progressing the board's development plan for services for older people within the context of the national development plan and the forthcoming health strategy.