Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue as it provides me with an opportunity to reaffirm the Government's commitment to developing community-based services at local level.

Government policy with regard to older people is to support them in living with dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to high-quality long-term residential care where appropriate. This policy approach is renewed and developed in the current partnership agreement Towards 2016.

The Government's objective of continued development of community-based services for older persons is reflected in the funding given to the system in recent times. Since 2006, more than €200 million has been provided to develop community care services. As the Deputy is aware, the Health Act 2004 provides the HSE with responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services. As a statutory body, the provision of these services, including progressing community services at local level is an operational matter for the executive.

The HSE is committed through its national service and capital plans to deliver services within its Vote provided by the Oireachtas. In Dungarvan, construction has just been completed at the community hospital and the executive has recently taken charge of the building. The facility includes a new 32-bed unit, eight of which are additional beds and 24 of which will be replacement beds, along with a 15-place day hospital.

The new building will replace the existing St. Vincent's district hospital for older people. It will provide GP access beds, convalescent, respite and terminal care, and short-term accommodation for dependent, chronically-ill young patients. Its role will be focused on providing non-acute services to complement those of the general hospital. The community day hospital will provide outpatient services for older persons, the intention being to enable older people to continue to live at home and avoid hospital admission. The overall capital cost of this development is approximately €12 million.

In light of the current financial difficulties generally, it will be a matter for the HSE to progress the equipping phase, or undertaking the demolition works, as part of the agreed HSE capital programme for 2009 or beyond. This would have to take account of priorities determined nationally by the executive, including decisions in relation to new community facilities coming on stream. Such initiatives have to be in line with agreed capital envelopes and identify any additional revenue or staffing implications arising from a particular project.

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