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Hospital Accommodation.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2005

Tuesday, 21 June 2005

Ceisteanna (67, 68)

John Perry

Ceist:

69 Mr. Perry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the reason the 850 beds in CNUs have not been delivered; if this is no longer a Government commitment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20919/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

137 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to the provision of the 850 community nursing unit beds, announced in July 2002, and which were intended to provide step down facilities for elderly patients and thus relieve pressure on acute hospital beds; the reason no progress has been made on this initiative since that announcement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20841/05]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 137 together.

Work has been under way in my Department on the proposal to deliver 850 community nursing unit beds through a public private partnership, PPP, and the work that has been done so far has helped to clarify a number of issues. My Department has been examining public private partnerships, PPP, and other procurement options in line with Government policy with a view to finding the approach that will deliver additional long stay beds and provide the best services and value for money to the Exchequer.

In this regard there have been discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance on an initiative which is based on entering into a medium-term service level agreement with the private sector to deliver the additional long stay beds required to relieve pressure on the acute hospitals and community care programme.

I am pursuing this initiative with the Minister for Finance as a matter of high priority with a view to agreeing that the proposal be developed further to evaluate its cost effectiveness.

Question No. 70 answered with QuestionNo. 67.
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