Vol. 396 No. 4
119 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that there are adequate geriatric and psychogeriatric beds available to cater for the city of Cork; if he will give details of the current provisions in this regard; the plans, if any, he has to improve present provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Southern Health Board are at present finalising their plans to implement the recommendations of the report The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly. As part of this exercise, the board are reviewing the adequacy of bed provision for the elderly, including those with mental illness and dementia. I understand that the board will be submitting their plans to my Department in the near future.
The Southern Health Board are at present funding 578 extended care beds for the elderly in Cork city. This figure excludes acute beds for the elderly and private beds in voluntary and private nursing homes. It also excludes extended care beds in Cork county which are availed of by residents of Cork city.
The Government are committed to improving services for the elderly. An additional allocation of £5 million was made available in the budget in addition to the moneys already allocated this year to develop home and community support for the elderly as recommended in The Years Ahead. Health boards will be informed of their share of the additional funds shortly. As a result of this funding, the Southern Health Board will be able to make considerable progress towards achieving their priorities in services for the elderly this year.
