asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a welfare home at Killybegs, County Donegal.
76.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Written Answers. - Donegal Welfare Homes.
75.
asked the Minister for Health the proposals, if any, for the provision of a welfare home for Donegal town electoral area or for an extension to the existing hospital there.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.
The development plans of the NorthWestern Health Board include the provision of a network of community nursing units throughout Donegal which will incorporate nursing and residential care for the elderly as well as day care facilities for old people living at home.
Two of these units at Falcarragh and Ramelton have been completed and commissioned. A third one, at Buncrana, is ready but cannot be commissioned at present owing to the difficult financial situation which precludes the employment of extra staff in the health services. Units in Carndonagh and Stranorlar are in the pre-planning, brief stage.
The rate at which the remaining stages of the overall scheme which includes units in Donegal and Killybegs can proceed will depend on the availability of resource. I am not in a position at this time pending more detailed examination of the capital and revenue resource available to me to be precise as to when further development can take place.