Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise the important matter of the future of Kanturk community hospital and the plans of the Department of Health and Children and the Health Service Executive. I will outline the current position on the planned extension to the hospital.

This proposed extension has been on the cards for quite a long time. Kanturk community hospital, like many other community hospitals throughout the country, serves a wide area including Duhallow. It has served as a community hospital for the past number of years. The care and expertise provided are second to none. The matron and staff of the hospital are doing excellent work for the elderly of the region. As we move into the 21st century, facilities such as Kanturk community hospital are needed more. The proposed extension to the hospital has been mooted by the Department of Health and Children and the old Southern Health Board for many years. There is a great need for extra beds and facilities for the hospital and the wider community. Private nursing homes which have been opened over the past five or six years are now at full capacity. The extension to the hospital has been promised for the past four or five years but has not materialised.

The Department and the HSE southern area will say there has been a vast improvement and refurbishment of the community hospital and I am delighted to acknowledge the upgrading of the outdated facilities. However, further beds are needed in the hospital. Each community needs a vibrant hospital to cater for its needs but community hospitals did not receive priority funding in the past. The Kanturk facility needs priority funding and extra beds.

I ask the Minister of State to outline to the House the Department's policy. Many people who have recourse to this hospital and many other community hospitals throughout the region,are full of praise for them. I ask the Minister of State to outline the action that will be taken with regard to St. Patrick's community hospital in Kanturk.

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