John Gormley
Question:185 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will consider bringing forward the planned refurbishment of the old nurses' home at the Meath community unit in Dublin. [9267/03]
Written Answers - Community Care.
The site of the former Meath Hospital was acquired in 1999 by the Eastern Health Board for the development of a range of health services for the catchment population of south inner city Dublin. The ERHA has proposed the development of a range of services for older persons on the site which includes a 50 bed community unit, a 25 bed secondary rehabilitation unit, a new day care centre, sheltered housing and ten single self-contained apartments.
A draft developmental control plan and planning briefs for proposed services have been undertaken and are being examined by officials in my Department in conjunction with the ERHA. These include proposals to refurbish the old nurses' home which are now well advanced. Funding for the development of services for older people on the site is being considered by the ERHA and my Department in the context of progressing capital projects for the authority in future and in line with funding resources available under the national development plan.
My Department will continue to liaise closely with the ERHA with a view to progressing matters as quickly as possible.