Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 July 2018
1754. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if funding will be made available to invest in Ramelton Community Hospital, St. Joseph's Community Hospital and Lifford Community Hospital in County Donegal to ensure that long-term beds are maintained and expanded into the future (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34722/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 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.
