Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1389. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the status of the retention of services including long stay residential care beds at Lifford, Ramelton and St. Joseph's community hospitals in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32706/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1433. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health if a request from CHO 1 relating to community hospitals in County Donegal has been received; if this request was a submission by CHO 1 to obtain departmental permission to amend the existing capital plan which was launched in January 2016 and directly affects three Donegal community hospitals in particular St. Joseph's Hospital, Ramelton and Lifford Community Hospital; his views on whether this is a matter for his Department as opposed to a function of the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32883/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra1488. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1004, 1005 and 1006 of 26 July 2017, if the record of Dáil Éireann will be amended to correct erroneous information given regarding the future of long stay residential care beds and services at community hospitals (details supplied) in County Donegal; if the official position in respect of the future of these beds and services at these hospitals will be clarified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33123/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1389, 1433 and 1488 together.
In March of this year, a proposal was approved by the HSE’s National Capital Property Steering Committee that revises a 2016 decision to replace the existing long term residential beds in Stranorlor and Ramelton, and recommends retention and refurbishment of the units at an additional capital cost of €6m. The new unit in Letterkenny also remains part of the proposed plan.
The HSE’s Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units 2016 to 2021 for Public Residential Care Centres for Older People set out the HSE’s proposals for the replacement of 33 existing centres and the refurbishment or extension of 58 centres at a cost of €535 million. The Plan was submitted to the Department of Health in January 2016.
The programme which was announced on 26 January 2016 included 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 was secured on a sustainable basis. The plan provided that the new unit in Letterkenny would be developed through PPP or alternative measures to replace existing units in Stranorlor, Ramelton and Lifford which currently provide 117 beds in total. The cost of the original proposal was estimated at €23.05m.
The HSE wrote to the Department in May seeking approval for the changes to the previously agreed programme. The Department of Health has sought additional information from the HSE in order to consider the revised proposal. Engagement between the HSE and the Department is ongoing at the moment and this matter will be brought to a conclusion as soon as possible.
The centre in Lifford is an old building dating back to the 1700s and is not considered viable as a long-stay residential centre. However, taking into account requirements for additional beds as indicated in the recent Capacity Review, the HSE is considering alternative proposals for the area, including the provision of a green-field site, in order meet the future needs of the community.
Project Ireland 2040 which was launched earlier this year commits to the provision of 4,500 additional beds in community hospitals.
