Nursing Home Accommodation Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 April 2016

Wednesday, 6 April 2016

Questions (587)

Jack Chambers

Question:

587. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health his plans to build a 100-bed nursing home on the grounds of Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown in Dublin 15 to replace the Woodlands and Silver Birch services; when work on the new site will begin; when the new centres will open; the funding that will be used to carry out this development; the number of residents residing in the existing Woodlands and Silver Birch services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6198/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health (Deputy Leo Varadkar)

There is significant potential within the recently announced national programme of investment of €385 million in public residential nursing homes for further provision of €150 million for which public private partnerships (PPP) or alternative funding arrangements will be considered. The Health Service Executive has identified 10 existing centres, including Connolly Hospital Blanchardstown which could be replaced under such funding mechanisms.

Services, including details of the number of residents currently residing in the existing units at Woodlands and Silver Birch, are an operational matter for the HSE and that aspect of the Deputy's question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.