Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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St. Vincent's District Hospital, Dungarvan, has long been one of the worst hospital buildings in the country. Its replacement, the 32-bed community hospital in Dungarvan, is almost complete, and as part of the project the existing St. Vincent's hospital is to be demolished. Although belated, this is to be welcomed. Unfortunately, a new obstacle has arisen. The building is about to be taken in charge by the HSE and, in line with revised procedures introduced by the Department of Finance this year, the HSE has made a formal submission to the Department of Finance seeking release of the funding to proceed with equipping the hospital. However, no decision is forthcoming.

Last Thursday I tabled a parliamentary question to the Minister for Finance which was accompanied by a letter I received from the HSE outlining the position regarding the submission made to the Department of Finance. I was seeking to find out when a decision would be reached on the release of the funding to proceed with the equipping of the hospital. The question was transferred to the Department of Health and Children, and the answer I received from the Minister of State, Deputy Áine Brady, was one line as follows: "As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply."

As a long-standing Deputy I am appalled and outraged at how my question was dealt with by both the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Health and Children. The question originated from a reply I had received from the HSE. The letter was then transferred from the Department of Finance, where the answer I was seeking should have been given, to the Department of Health and Children, which in turn sent it back to the HSE. This is bureaucratic evasion at its most contemptible and I am registering the strongest possible protest in this regard. The people of Dungarvan have waited long enough for their hospital and I am demanding that a positive decision in regard to the equipping of the new hospital and the demolition of St. Vincent's District Hospital is made without delay.

The HSE has completed the equipping source list as part of the process for its submission, and it anticipates that the process from order to delivery will take six to eight weeks. I once again demand that this appalling mess be rectified as a matter of the greatest urgency and that the people of Dungarvan and west Waterford be provided without further delay with the 32-bed facility that has long been awaited and is much needed.

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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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.