Dan Neville
Question:174 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding the provision of a ten bed elderly mentally infirm unit at St. Ita's Hospital, Newcastle West, County Limerick. [12783/01]
Written Answers - Hospital Services.
The provision of health services in County Limerick is a matter for the Mid-Western Health Board. Under the National Development Plan 2001-2006 a total of £16.349 million was allocated to the Mid-Western 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. As the Deputy will be aware, the board has included the provision of an elderly mentally infirm unit at St. Ita's Hospital in its proposals for inclusion in the national development plan. Interviews have recently been held to select an architect for the development and a recommendation from the board is under consideration.