Vol. 541 No. 2
490 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received plans from the South-Eastern Health Board for the provision of an interim unit for the care of the elderly in Kilkenny city; if funds are available for this project; if he will ensure that the plans for this facility are not delayed within his Department; if a decision will issue immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21622/01]
497 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will make a statement clarifying the staffing issues relating to the new facilities at St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny; if the staffing levels required to have these facilities in service on time will be sanctioned; and if sanction can be given to the chief executive officer of the South-Eastern Health Board so that the necessary recruitment drive may begin. [21667/01]
I propose to take Question Nos. 490 and 497 together.
In relation to the interim unit a proposal has been received by my Department which is under consideration and will be the subject of further communication with the South-Eastern Health Board in the context of their service development priorities.
Concerning the development of a community hospital on the grounds of St. Luke's Hospital, Kilkenny, I understand that the South-Eastern Health Board are examining this project in the context of the overall developments at the hospital for which a project team has been established.
491 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has received a request for funding from the South-Eastern Health Board for projects in the south-east linked directly to care for the elderly; if the £85 million required is available for all the projects included in the application; if not, the amount which is available; the projects which are to be funded; and, if the total amount is not available in one year, if he will commit himself to fund all the projects over a number of years in order that the South-Eastern Health Board can engage in a forward planning process. [21623/01]
Under the National Development Plan, 2001-2006, the South-Eastern Health Board was advised of indicative funding of £14.801 million for capital investment in the development of services for older people. It is a matter for the board to decide its priority development projects within the national development plan. In this context the board has submitted a list of priority projects, which encompasses the provision of new community hospitals and elderly mentally infirm units, upgrading of facilities and the provision of additional day care centres.
