Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Dec 2003

Vol. 576 No. 6

Written Answers. - Health Board Services.

Jimmy Deenihan

Question:

203 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has made provision in the Estimates for the necessary finance to provide the new community nursing home unit in Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30230/03]

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. Callely):

The provision of health services in the Kerry area is a matter for the Southern Health Board in the first instance. The board included a proposal to develop a 50-bed community nursing unit in Tralee as part of its development plan 2000-2006, which was submitted to my Department.

A project team was established in May 2001 to progress this development. The project team has identified the preferred site for this development on land attached to Tralee General Hospital. The selected site is a three acre site, accessible from the Killerisk Road, which will allow for the community nursing unit to be developed independently from the general hospital campus.

The project team has prepared a design brief and the cost of the project is in the order of €8.5 million at a September 2002 price base date, excluding revenue costs. My Department gave approval to the appointment of a design team in February 2003. The design team has submitted the stage 2 report, which was approved by my Department on 6 October 2003. The team is currently working on stage 3 of the planning process.

My Department fully appreciates the importance of progressing this development and will continue to work closely with the Southern Health Board in respect of this project.

Michael Ring

Question:

204 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Health and Children if a re-assessment of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo can be arranged for orthodontic treatment; and if they can get a second opinion. [30232/03]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Martin):

Responsibility for the provision of orthodontic treatment to eligible persons in County Mayo rests with the Western Health Board. My Department has asked the chief executive officer to investigate the matter raised by the Deputy and to reply to him directly.