Vol. 576 No. 3
98 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children the reasons for the delay in having an Alzheimer's unit built in Carndonagh, County Donegal, despite its having been launched a number of years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29564/03]
As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in the Donegal area rests, in the first instance, with the North-Western Health Board. The board included as part of its National Development Plan 2000-2006 a proposal to provide an additional 16 beds for persons with dementia from the Inishowen area of north Donegal. It has completed a draft accommodation brief for the project, which was submitted to my Department earlier this year.
My Department is examining the health capital programme for 2004 and beyond to ascertain what new projects can be progressed through either planning or construction stages, taking account of existing commitments and overall funding resources available. It is in this context that my Department will continue to liaise with the North-Western Health Board regarding the proposed development at Carndonagh, in light of the board's overall capital funding priorities.
