I assume the Deputy is referring to the proposed public private partnership, PPP, project in the Southern Health Board. The project is for eight 50-bed community nursing units, CNUs, and one of these units will be located on a site adjacent to Bantry General Hospital, which is in the ownership of the Southern Health Board. The CNU will provide respite, convalescence, long stay and rehabilitation services to elderly patients in the area. It is not intended to provide a day care centre as part of this development. It is a priority to increase the availability of community nursing and other units that would meet the needs of people who need care that could not be adequately provided at home.
There have been discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance in the development of this PPP scheme, as is normal and entirely appropriate with a PPP project. As PPPs are complex schemes, it is important to have a clear view of the benefits that will accrue given the complexity of the PPP contracting structure. The work that has been done so far has helped to clarify a number of issues. I intend to examine this project in detail very soon. The putting in place of a large number of nursing units will greatly help people make the transition from an acute hospital setting to care matched to their needs.