Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 October 2015
267. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the status of the capital application of a community nursing unit for older persons in Tuam in County Galway; if this is one of the 129 projects to be included in the health capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36934/15]
View answerInvestment in health care infrastructure must be a continuous process of improvement if accommodation standards are to be enhanced and maintained. Therefore all community nursing homes will require capital funding - ranging from a few hundred euro to total replacement costs.
Following the announcement last month of the health capital allocation of €3 billion for the multi-annual period 2016-2021 the HSE is working on the next Capital Plan for that period. This Plan requires the approval of the Minister for Health together with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The overall plan will include provision of additional funding towards the later years of the period for the development of Community Nursing Units. The additional funding will, building upon the existing projects, enable an enhanced programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish long term care facilities and will significantly improve the standard of residential facilities and facilitate person centred care. The Department is working with the HSE to prioritise the available funding.
