Michael Ring (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for selecting this issue for discussion. Planning permission in respect of refurbishment and extension works has been granted for the MacBride community nursing unit in Westport, County Mayo. The unit has been open since 1974, has 49 full-time residents, one respite bed, and 20 to 25 patients availing of day care services.

Extra equipment has been provided to the unit but the problem is that there is insufficient storage space for it and not enough beds. Planning permission has been granted to refurbish and extend the premises and there is a health and safety issue with the storage of equipment. This unit is one of several public day care centres in Westport and it has provided a good service over the years. I congratulate the matron and her staff on the excellent job they have done in looking after their elderly patients. It is proof of their good work that so many seek beds in the day care centre.

The previous Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Martin, announced a package of €170 million for the provision of 800 community beds, of which Westport expected to receive a proportion. I was disappointed to learn on the Order of Business this morning that the new Minister, Deputy Harney, has stopped the sanction for these beds. We cannot have a situation where badly needed beds in every hospital are occupied by patients who should be in long-stay care but for whom no such facilities are available.

The Government must get its act together and I call on the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children to provide the necessary funding for the MacBride unit in Westport so that extra beds can be provided and equipment properly stored. Patients in need of long-stay residential care must be accommodated in nursing homes such as this so that hospital beds can be freed up. The MacBride unit has the necessary planning permission and a willing staff. Extra staff will be required when the extension is completed because there is only one nurse and one care attendant looking after 50 patients every night. This is unacceptable.

Is the Government serious about providing adequate care services for the elderly? The home help scheme and the new home care package announced by the Government are inadequate. We were told in the House this morning that the funding for the latter scheme has already been spent. This Government is engaged in too much spin. The Tánaiste has 14 spin doctors but there are fewer than 14 medical doctors in Mayo General Hospital to look after the needs of the entire county. We must get our priorities right and provide adequate resources for care services for the elderly. I call on the Minister of State to provide the necessary funding for the MacBride facility in Westport.

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