Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
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I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to raise an important issue, namely, the ongoing delay in the provision of a long-promised 14-bed extension to Kenmare Community Hospital in County Kerry. Sadly this is not the first occasion on which I have had to bring this matter to the House.

The development of an extension to Kenmare Community Hospital was included in the then Southern Health Board's proposals under the National Development Plan 2001-2006. We have arrived at the year 2006 and the proposals for the speedy completion of this project are remote at best. This extension was promised by the Government under the National Development Plan 2001-2006. I have a press release from the then Southern Health Board dated 3 June 2000 hailing "major development". Included in its new programme of work the extension to Kenmare Community Hospital was costed at £2 million. The Health Service Executive submitted the draft accommodation brief for the extension to the Department of Health and Children in February 2003 and requested approval for the appointment of a design team for the project. Why has that request been gathering dust in the Department of Health and Children for three years?

The last reply I received to a parliamentary question from the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, was evasive, to say the least. It seems the entire project has stalled because of the review of the national development plan and the projects under its umbrella. In her reply the Tánaiste advised me that it was not possible to say with any certainty how quickly the project would progress through the planning and construction approval stages.

This is unacceptable to me and to the people of the greater Kenmare area. Why is it not possible to say when the hospital extension will proceed? The provision of the 14-bed extension to Kenmare Community Hospital is badly needed. The population of Kenmare has risen by more than 30% since 1996. Many retired and elderly people have settled in the area and the demand for additional beds in the community hospital is growing. The hospital serves a huge area, including Sneem, Castlecove, Laragh, Tuosist, Kilgarvan, Blackwater and the Black Valley. If the Minister knew the geography of that area, he would realise the huge area it includes. The population of this area deserves and demands better than evasive and non-committal answers from the Government.

I want to know what is going on. A 14-bed extension should not require intensive planning and resourcing. As I said, in 2000 the then Southern Health Board estimated the cost at just £2 million. Now, six years on, there is no sign of the extension, only delay after delay in advancing the project. I hope the Minister of State will advise me and the people of Kenmare what the delay is and what is happening. I do not want a scripted answer. I want the Minster of State to tell me and the people of the Kenmare area when they will see the extension to their local hospital. I also want a commitment to put on the record of this House when the funding will be in place to make the extension possible and to remove any obstacles and delays. There are obstacles and delays and the people of Kenmare and I deserve to know that they are.

Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am delighted to have the opportunity to answer this question on behalf of my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children. It is the Department's policy to maintain older people in dignity and independence at home in accordance with their wishes, and at the same time to provide high quality residential care for older people when living at home is no longer possible. The Government's commitment to the development of a comprehensive range of services for older people has been clearly demonstrated by the significantly increased resources made available in recent years. From 1997 to 2005, inclusive, additional spending on health care services was in excess of €302 million. In the budget package announced for 2006, additional revenue funding of €150 million in full year costs was allocated for services for older people, that is, €110 million in 2006 and a further €40 million in 2007.

The prioritisation of all health capital developments is a matter for the Health Service Executive, HSE, under the Health Act 2004. The HSE has advised that the provision of a 14-bed extension to Kenmare Community Hospital has been considered for inclusion in its multi-annual capital programme for the period 2006 to 2010. The Kenmare project involves the re-planning of the existing accommodation and the addition of new accommodation to provide an integrated 40-bed hospital to meet present day standards of care. The HSE has completed a draft accommodation brief for the enlargement of the hospital from 26 beds to 40.

The HSE has confirmed that this project will not commence in 2006. This is owing to competing demands for capital funding, including other significant capital projects in the Kerry area, which will require investment in 2006. However, the HSE has advised that the capital programme will be reviewed and reprioritised annually. Depending on available resources and the progress of other projects, proposed developments such as the extension to Kenmare Community Hospital will be reconsidered by the HSE for inclusion in its revised future capital programme.