Vol. 518 No. 6
330 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Health and Children his policy and support for the proposed district hospital for Tralee; and if he will make a statement on his recent meeting with representatives of Tralee Senior Citizens Group in Killarney. [12803/00]
As I advised the Deputy in my reply of 24 February, the need for a facility in Tralee is recognised by the Southern Health Board and it has included this project in its development plan for community hospitals. However, the board has indicated to my Department that the nature of the service to be provided by a community hospital in Tralee can only be determined after a range of other services relating to the care of older people are first put in place. These include assessment and rehabilitation units at Tralee General Hospital which are now in place; community support services such as physiotherapy and occupational therapy; a day hospital at Tralee General Hospital which is now in planning and the provision of a replacement community hospital at Dingle.
