Colm Burke (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the witness for that clarification. In the context of a future development cost of €20 million, is it envisaged that capacity would increase? Given that the number of people over the age of 65 will increase by 20,000 every year, for argument's sake, by the time those who enter government in 2016 serve out their term of office, there will be an additional 100,000 people over the age of 65. I am not saying that everyone over the age of 65 will be seeking a nursing home bed. There has also been a huge increase in the number of people over 85 years. Does the witness envisage the hospital increasing capacity, particularly in view of the fact that he referred to a new unit? Has consideration been given to entering into a public private partnership for funding the development - as is the case with schools and local authority projects - over a 25-year period? Has the issue of a joint approach between the trustees, the HSE and a private partnership been considered as an option in view of the fact that the service being offered is essential? I agree that it is vitally important that it be maintained and upgraded.