As you know, it has been decided that St Joseph's Community Hospital Stranorlar and Ramelton Community Hospital will be redeveloped through the HSE's capital programme, while the potential for a development in Lifford will be further reviewed post 2021, when new Census data is available and the capital programme has been advanced.
The National Development Plan provides for the continuation of the programme of replacement and refurbishment of community nursing units and long term residential care facilities for older people.
My Department has consistently stated that the HSE is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects and it is a matter for the HSE, in the first instance to prioritise and plan projects, subject to available funding in the coming years.
My Department and the Health Service Executive are currently engaged in a process to finalise the HSE Capital Plan for 2019. The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project.
All Health capital projects, currently at various stages of development, such as the community nursing units in Donegal, are included as part of this process. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2019, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.
