I propose to take Questions Nos. 367 and 368 together.
The recently announced national programme of investment in public residential units is designed to bring them into compliance with relevant national standards by 2021. The plan includes the development of a new 130 bed centre, centrally located in Letterkenny to ensure that bed capacity in the region, which includes Ramelton, Lifford and Stranolar, is secured on a sustainable basis.
Given the requirement for additional services to provide for the needs for older persons right around the country, including Donegal, there will, in parallel with residential beds, be an ongoing need for the provision of short stay services such as rehabilitation, respite, step up and step down facilities, all with a view of maintaining older people in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. In planning for the coming years the use and purpose of the current buildings in Ramelton, Lifford and Stranorlar will be considered in order to ensure that an appropriate service is provided for the older people living in their own community in Donegal.
While the detailed operational planning for future service provision in this context is a matter for the HSE, if a representative of the Group contacts my Office I will consider their meeting request.