asked the Minister for Health what steps he is taking to provide urgently needed accommodation for geriatric cases in Dublin city.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Geriatric Cases.
8.
There are two building projects due to be completed this year which will improve the accommodation situation for geriatric patients in Dublin. The first is the erection of a two-storey block to accommodate 79 elderly women at the Regina Coeli Hostel. The second is the provision of a new 50 place day hospital at St. Kevin's Hospital at a cost of £45,000.
I have had discussions with the Dublin Health Authority on the future accommodation needs of geriatric patients. I should point out that institutional requirements depend in the first instance on the level at which community services are available. Such services include special housing for the aged, home visiting by public health nurses and social workers, and the provision of meals for persons unfit to cater adequately for themselves. The provision of welfare homes for elderly persons close to the community and to various communal facilities is an important part of the total geriatric service. Approval in principle has been conveyed to the Dublin Health Authority for the erection of three welfare homes for the aged costing approximately £80,000 each. One of these homes will be located in the grounds of St. Clare's Hospital, Ballymun but the location of the other two has yet to be decided.
Accommodation is also provided for geriatric patients in welfare homes run by religious orders and voluntary bodies. A new home of 150 places has just been completed at Marino and work is almost finished on the building of a 300-bed home at Raheny. I understand that there is a further home to be built in Chapelizod. The Dublin Health Authority are endeavouring to make arrangements with the authorities of these homes with a view to securing places for patients for whose care they have a responsibility.
Question No. 9 postponed.