Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 26 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 3

Written Answers. - Community Nursing Units.

Michael Ring

Question:

244 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if the Western Health Board had discussions with a private developer regarding a public private partnership for a convalescence and long-term care home for the elderly in Ballinrobe, County Mayo; if so, the person with whom the discussions took place; and the agreement which has been reached. [6638/02]

Michael Ring

Question:

245 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if funding is in place for the construction of a convalescence and long-term care home for the elderly in Ballinrobe, County Mayo. [6639/02]

Michael Ring

Question:

246 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children when the project of a convalescence and long-term care home for the elderly in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, will commence; and when it is expected to be completed. [6640/02]

Michael Ring

Question:

247 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if a convalescence and long-term care home for the elderly in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, will be built by the Western Health Board; if it will be run by the Western Health Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6641/02]

Michael Ring

Question:

248 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the funding in place for buying the site for a convalescence and long-term care home for the elderly in Ballinrobe, Count Mayo. [6642/02]

Michael Ring

Question:

249 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children the nature of the announcement regarding a convalescence and long-term care home for the elderly in Ballinrobe, County Mayo. [6643/02]

Enda Kenny

Question:

251 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason proposals to provide an old persons' home in Ballinrobe, County Mayo, were not included in the national development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6658/02]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Dr. Moffatt)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 244 to 249, inclusive, and 251 together.

The provision of health services in the Ballinrobe area is, in the first instance, the responsibility of the Western Health Board. The board contends that, based on demographic trends, a community nursing unit in Ballinrobe is warranted and my Department concurs with the board in this regard.

As I announced last week, the provision of funding is being approved by my Department for the purchase of a site by the board, and a project team is currently in the process of being set up to progress the development.

It is expected that community nursing units required for older people over the next decade will be partly provided by means of public private partnerships. My Department is developing proposals in relation to this issue.