asked the Minister for Health when he proposes to take steps for the erection of a new county home at Tullamore, County Offaly, or the complete modern reconstruction of the existing building which is most unsuitable for its purpose at the present time; and if he has obtained a report on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Tullamore (Offaly) County Home.
35.
It is not intended to reconstruct the existing county home at Tullamore or to erect new buildings on the site to replace the present accommodation entirely. It is proposed to separate beds for the chronic sick from provision for aged persons who need welfare type accommodation.
In accordance with that policy it is intended to provide for 100 patients on the site of the county hospital. This will facilitate the integration of services for the aged sick who need care in long-stay units with the medical, nursing and ancillary services available at the county hospital for the acutely ill. Planning of the new units and of essential ancillary accommodation is in the final stages and I understand that it should be possible to invite tenders before the end of the year.
Pending the provision of the new units improvements in the heating and sanitary facilities and redecoration in the present county home have been undertaken. It will be necessary at the same time to consider the nature and location of the accommodation to be provided for persons who will require residential rather than hospital care. This question is being taken up with the health authority.
The Minister is aware that this building is very depressing and is over 100 years old? I trust that he and his Department will lose no time in removing the aged and the ill who are in this most dilapidated and depressing building to more pleasant and more comfortable surroundings.
Naturally, I shall give every encouragement to the provision of new accommodation for elderly people and for people requiring care of this kind. As the Deputy knows, we have spent a great deal of money on the provision of new accommodation in the past five years.