Gerry Reynolds
Question:208 Mr. G. Reynolds asked the Minister for Health and Children when the building of the proposed community hospital in Ballinamore, County Leitrim will commence. [29649/01]
Written Answers. - Hospitals Building Programme.
The provision of health services in the Leitrim area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the North Western Health Board. My Department has made inquiries of the chief executive officer of the board, in relation to the proposed community nursing unit in Ballinamore, and has been informed that the situation is as follows:
The North-Western Health Board has commenced the consultation and planning process for developments in the south Leitrim area. This will include a facility in Ballinamore. A project officer has been appointed to define service needs, in consultation with community interests, consumers and service providers.
A development control plan for a site at Ballinamore will be completed by early 2002. It is anticipated that a brief for the residential facility in Ballinamore will also be completed in early 2002. It is then intended to proceed to the next stages of planning.