The provision of health services in County Cork and County Kerry is a matter for the Southern Health Board. As mentioned by the Deputy, the board has adopted a strategy, Ageing with Confidence, for the people of Cork and Kerry for the development of services for older people.
Under the National Development Plan, 2001-2006, a total of £35.487 million is being provided to the Southern Health Board for capital investment in the development of services for older people. It is a matter for the board to decide its priority developments within the national development plan. Additional revenue funding for the development of services for older people has increased significantly from £10 million in 1997 to an additional £57.427 million in 2001, including nursing home subvention funding.