Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I apologise that the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, cannot be here. I understand he was to respond to the Deputies last week but the debate was withdrawn. I will deal with the points raised. Deputy Gallagher spoke about the 1,000 people on the streets. Of course, we must listen to their views and I will bring his concerns to the Minister. His fundamental question on where those patients will go is very relevant.

With regard to what Deputy Doherty has said, we accept the old plan has gone. He said the local people need to see where the money is and when it will happen. It will have to be some time in 2019. The Deputy wants more specific dates and timelines and I accept that point.

The Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, asked me to stress that St. Joseph's Community Hospital in Stranorlar and Ramelton Community Hospital will be redeveloped through the HSE's capital programme, while the potential for redevelopment in Lifford will be further reviewed after 2021, when new census data will be available and the capital programme will have been advanced. The national development plan provides for the continuation of the programme of replacement and refurbishment of community nursing units and long-term residential care facilities for older people. The Department has consistently stated that the HSE is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects and it is a matter for the HSE in the first instance to prioritise and plan projects, subject to available funding in the coming years. The Department and the HSE are engaged in a process to finalise the HSE's capital plan for 2019. The HSE's capital plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019 and beyond, having regard to the total available capital funding and relevant priority of each project. All health capital projects at various stages of development, such as community nursing units in Donegal, are included as part of this process. Once the HSE has finalised its capital plan for 2019, it will be submitted to the Minister for consideration. Of course, I will bring back the points raised by the Deputies today, particularly on the new site in Lifford and all of the other concerns.

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