Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I am taking the Adjournment matter on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank Deputy Deenihan for raising the question as it provides me with an opportunity to outline to the House the current situation on this matter.

On 21 June 2005, the Tánaiste approved the new community nursing unit for Tralee for inclusion in the capital investment framework 2005. The proposed development is a 50-bed community nursing unit to be built on a greenfield site located off the Killerisk Road, Tralee. The facility will comprise two modules of 25 beds each, plus ancillary facilities providing continuing care, respite and convalescence care to dependent older people.

The community nursing unit is at pre-tender stage. Over recent months, the HSE has been working on finalising the tender documentation and this exercise has now been completed. The executive has advised that it is now in the process of finalising a detailed costing and identifying the additional revenue requirement. It hopes to be in a position to conclude discussions with the Department of Health and Children on this matter over the coming weeks. The HSE has advised that it will then be in a position to seek tenders.

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