Vol. 529 No. 1
699 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children when he received an application for the provision of a new district hospital which would deal with additional beds for the elderly at Castlecomer, County Kilkenny; the time scale for the commencement of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2071/01]
The provision of health services in County Kilkenny is a matter for the South Eastern Health Board. Under the National Development Plan 2001-06 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 as part of the national development plan. Accordingly, the question of proceeding with the development of the district hospital in Castlecomer will have to be considered by the board within the parameters of the national development plan.
700 Mr. Hogan asked the Minister for Health and Children the total finance allocated to the South Eastern Health Board for the provision of accommodation and hospital beds for the elderly under the national development plan; the financial value of the hospital bed requirements in respect of all of the proposals submitted by the same board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2072/01]
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.
