Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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127. To ask the Minister for Health to provide an update on the development of a building (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24103/25]

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister for Health provide an update on the development of the community nursing unit at Midleton Community Hospital and make a statement on the matter?

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Deputy. In 2016 a capital programme for older persons residential centres was developed in response to the introduction of HIQA's national residential care standards for older people and the requirement that all facilities providing long-stay beds be registered with HIQA. This is a programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish community nursing units as appropriate at 89 locations. The new 50-bed community nursing unit in Midleton is part of the programme. At the end of 2024, 51 community nursing units were completed. Seventeen are currently under construction; seven of those, including the unit at Midleton, are being delivered through public-private partnership, PPP. The remaining 21 are at various stages of appraisal, review, design or tender.

The community nursing unit in Midleton is anticipated to complete construction in quarter 3 of 2025. The HSE advised the Deputy in reply to a parliamentary question in February 2025 that it was anticipated that Midleton would be completed by quarter 2 of this year; however, there are a number of outstanding items that need to be addressed prior to completion. It is important to note that these items are essential for HIQA registration. All parties are actively engaging to address the outstanding items and ensure we achieve construction completion for each of the seven PPP sites, including Midleton. Following construction completion and commissioning, the new building must be registered with HIQA as per the Health Act 2007, as amended. Once the community nursing unit is registered, the HSE can admit residents. Workforce planning is progressing across all staff disciplines to ensure the required complement and skill mix of staff is in place to facilitate the operational schedule. It is estimated that, pending successful registration and recruitment, the new community nursing unit will be fully resourced and operational during quarter 4 of 2025.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for her response. I also thank her Department and the HSE for progressing this development. Midleton Community Hospital supports residents and their families across east Cork and I am delighted, as I am sure the families of residents are, to see that the staff's hard work is being rewarded with a new facility that will accommodate increased numbers. The Minister has outlined the anticipated progression of the project and it is welcome news that it is progressing quickly. What use is planned for the Midleton Community Hospital building when residents have been moved to the new unit?

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I will address the delay, such as it is. We want to anticipate the workforce planning is there to ensure it is operational. The delay is one that is essential for HIQA.

On the Deputy's question about the plan, when a HSE-owned property has been vacated by a health service, we have to determine whether it is surplus to health requirements in the area. That involves HSE engagement with other HSE services to establish whether they have a need for the property. I would be very interested in the Deputy's perspective, representing the area as he does. There is a programme of sale of buildings by HSE Estates, which I have been partially updated on. There is also a programme to offer them to the Land Development Agency for housing, if that is suitable, or to other State entities. I would be interested in the Deputy's perspective on the best use of the facility. It is important to hear from public representatives as well as every other stakeholder.

Noel McCarthy (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Will the Minister outline the total intended staff numbers and positions within the 50-bed community nursing unit, once it opens?

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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A scoping exercise with regard to the existing Midleton Community Hospital site is under way to identity possible future uses which align with existing service needs. My view is that we need healthcare capacity and we need to think about that in every way. There are multiple stakeholders. The Deputy's voice and view will be important in relation to that. With a rising population, we are trying to increase capacity in suitable ways. Not every site is suitable. Some are better sold or just moved forward. The HSE is not a property developer as such. We have a pressing housing need as well. Acknowledging all of that, a scoping exercise is under way with regard to the existing hospital. As soon as I have any information on that, I will update the Deputy.