Almost three years have passed since I last debated the proposed Arranmore nursing care unit in the Dáil. On that occasion the Minister of State, Deputy Moffatt, stated that he would look at the provision of services for the elderly on the island. Hopefully he will respond again this evening. After careful investigation and assessment, the North Western Health Board sanctioned an eight bed nursing respite unit for the island. The board's decision was warmly welcomed and appreciated by the inhabitants of the island as it was expected that work would commence on the project by August or September 2000. Since then, progress has been at a snail's pace. Many islanders are unhappy, anxious and concerned at the lack of significant development on the unit's provision.
Arranmore Island, with a population of about 600, is the most populated island off the Donegal coast. There are two primary schools, a successful secondary school under the auspices of Donegal VEC and a resident priest, doctor and nurse. There is also a daily and efficient ferry service from Burtonport and a progressive and efficient island co-operative, known as Comharchumann Oileán Árainn Mhór Teoranta. A day service unit for the elderly was established on the island some years ago and provides an excellent service for senior citizens. Accommodation in the centre includes day rooms, kitchen, doctor's surgery, dental surgery, consulting rooms and accommodation for visiting health professionals. There is also an ambulance which provides day centre transport. The day centre is open during the week and caters for approximately 70 to 80 people. The centre is run by Arranmore Social Services Committee in co-operation with North Western Health Board and is providing an excellent service for the elderly of the island.
When one analyses the demographic trends on Arranmore, the urgent need to provide a facility for elderly persons requiring nursing care becomes glaringly obvious. There are approximately 130 persons over the age of 65 living on the island. About 30 are more than 80 years of age. There are 35 to 40 persons over the age of 65 living alone, some of them house-bound or bed-bound. These figures illustrate the need for a nursing unit on the island.
Island people become particularly attached to their island homes. The magical lure of the surrounding seas is an almost essential element in their lives. To transfer them from their island environment to nursing units on the mainland is unacceptable. Having been removed from lifelong friends, acquaintances and family to a foreign and, to them, often friendless environment leads to feelings of isolation. Visits from family and friends become sporadic and intermittent due to travel difficulties, and there is ample evidence that such an unacceptable situation shortens their lives.
Senior citizens in Arranmore Island are entitled to nursing care facilities on their own island where they can maintain contact with their own environment and lifelong friends. I appeal to the Minister to do everything possible to expedite the provision of the unit that has already been sanctioned for Arranmore Island. Mar fhocal scoir, a Cheann Comhairle, Arranmore Island is a Gaeltacht island. Oileán Gaeltachta é. Tá suas le 600 duine ina gcónaí ann. Tá oideachas maith á chur ar fáil do dhaltaí an oileáin ar bhunscoil agus ar iar-bhunscoil. Tá ionad lae ag freastal ar shean daoine ar an oileán ach is cinnte go bhfuil easnamh mór amháin ann, sé sin ionad banaltrais. Cé go bhfuil an t-ionad geallta le breis is bliain is beag an dul chun cinn atá déanta ó shin agus tá mé ag iarraidh ar an Aire Stáit brú a chur ar an bhord sláinte dul ar aghaidh leis na socruithe láithreach sa dóigh go mbeidh ionad banaltrais ar fáil ar an oileán gan mhoill. Go raibh maith agat a Cheann Chomhairle