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Care of the Elderly.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004

Wednesday, 17 November 2004

Questions (94)

John McGuinness

Question:

131 Mr. McGuinness asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the progress being made with the provision of long stay beds for the elderly at St. Canice’s Hospital, Kilkenny; the cost of the first phase of the development; the expected completion date; the estimated cost of the final phase; the projected time-frame; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28671/04]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, responsibility for the provision of health services in the Kilkenny area rests with the South Eastern Health Board in the first instance. The board submitted to my Department a proposal to develop a 30 bed residential unit and day facility for psychiatry of later life and a 22 bed residential facility for the elderly at St. Canice's Hospital, Kilkenny.

Approval was given to the board to proceed with the project on a phased basis, commencing with the development of the 30 bed unit and day facility at an estimated capital cost of €1.4million. The board has advised that this project has gone to tender and a contractor has been selected. Approval was also given to the board to proceed with the design stages of the development of the long stay unit for older people. The capital costs for this refurbishment are currently estimated at €1.1million. Any decision in relation to progressing this project will be considered by my Department in the context of the significant additional revenue funding and staff which will be required by the board to operate the new unit and having regard to the board's employment ceiling and funding available to my Department.

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