Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 December 2018
151. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if the HSE plans to retain long-stay residential care services at St. Joseph's and Ramelton community hospitals, County Donegal, have been signed off. [51224/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this month, the Department noted the rationale put forward by the HSE for the revisions to its Capital Investment Programme for Residentail Care Centres for Older People and acknowledged that the matter had been considered and decided upon through the established mechanisms within the HSE. As a result, the position in relation to the two community hospitals mentioned has been amended. These two community hospitals will be redeveloped through the HSE's capital plan. In relation to the additional funding identified by the HSE for capital investment in these units, it is a matter for the HSE, in the first instance to prioritise and plan projects, subject to available funding in the coming years. As outlined at the recent meeting on this issue, the HSE will now advance these plans through the established processes. The HSE has confirmed that it intends that this process will begin in 2019, with the commencement of the design phase for both.
