John Gormley
Question:52 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her plans for the redevelopment of the Brú Caoímhín nursing home on Cork Street in Dublin. [8559/05]
View answerTuesday, 22 March 2005
Questions (55, 56, 57)
John Gormley
Question:53 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Health Services Executive or her Department is proposing to sell part of the grounds and buildings of the Brú Caoímhín nursing home on Cork Street in Dublin to private developers so that they may build on the site; if it is hoped to realise about €17 million from this sale; if three of the five existing buildings on the site are to be demolished; if there will be a significant reduction in both the total green space on the site, and the green space available to residents of Brú Caoímhín, should this plan go ahead; and if the plans for nursing homes involves a reduction in the number of beds from 140, of which about 120 are now occupied, to 60. [8560/05]
View answerJohn Gormley
Question:54 Mr. Gormley asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is intended to sell off part of the Brú Caoímhín site and reduce bed numbers there; the rationale for this proposal, in view of the increased demand for nursing home beds for older people, and in view of the likelihood that reducing the number of publicly-provided beds in this way is likely to increase the need for the State to subvent the provision of beds in private nursing homes for those who cannot themselves afford to pay for such beds. [8561/05]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 52 to 54, inclusive, together.
The Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for Brú Caoímhín. Accordingly, my Department has requested the chief officer for the executive's eastern regional area to investigate the matters raised and to reply directly to the Deputy.