Vol. 459 No. 6
68 Mr. Hughes asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on the identified needs for additional and improved accommodation in respect of long-stay places for the elderly; if he will specify the needs which have been identified; and the timeframe involved. [18650/95]
, Limerick East): With the elderly population set to rise, there is a need to provide some additional health board long-stay places and to improve existing accommodation. I announced during the summer my commitment to a capital programme over the next few years which will improve and expand long-stay health board care facilities for the elderly in each of the eight health boards. I would see this as one of a number of priorities which must be addressed within the capital programme on a sustained basis, until the identified needs for additional and improved accommodation have been met.
