Seanad debates

Tuesday, 6 April 2004

Hospitals Building Programme.

 

5:00 pm

Photo of Ivor CallelyIvor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I thank my good friend Senator Leyden for raising this matter on the Adjournment and for his kind comments. As Senator Leyden may be aware, more than 60 million people in the European Community are aged 60 and over. One in five of the population of the EU is an older citizen, and the ratio is set to rise to one in four quite rapidly. In Ireland, the expected increase in the number of older people reaching advanced old age is dramatic. It has been estimated that between 1991 and 2026, there will be a 75% increase, approximately, in the number of people aged 75 and over. Inevitably, this will give rise to an increase in the numbers of people suffering from dementia, and will present a major challenge to our health services in the coming years.

The development of services for people with Alzheimer's disease is based on the action plan for dementia published by the National Council on Ageing and Older People in 1999. Considerable progress has been made in service development since the publication of the report and in each of the years since 1999 the Department of Health and Children has provided additional funding of more than €5 million to Psychiatry of Old Age and more than €2 million to theAlzheimer Society of Ireland for services delivered. In addition, the Alzheimer Society gets a capital core grant. Carers of Alzheimer sufferers have also benefited from the €5 million we have made available in the same period, specifically for the support of carers. In addition, health boards are making progress in the provision of stand-alone dementia units. Having said that, we need to do much more for people suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease, and ensure we have some level of adequate services in place in every region.

I thank Senator Leyden for the invitation to view the facilities of the Sacred Heart hospital, an invitation I am happy to accept. I will also be happy to open St. Michael's ward if that can be arranged. Senator Leyden's interest however is in the delivery of services, which is why he would like me to view the hospital facilities. I would like to do so, and to speak with the relevant service providers there, the matron and her staff. I will respond positively to Senator Leyden on that request and would like to respond similarly regarding the proposed dementia unit.

Plans are at an advanced stage for the selection of a team to undertake the initial design to upgrade Our Lady's ward to incorporate a 12-bed dementia unit and a 24-bed long-stay unit. The estimated cost of this project is €2.68 million, and progress will depend on the level of capital funding available to the Western Health Board and its priorities for such developments. I will very happy to drive this proposal through the Department of Health and Children.

Senator Leyden also referred to the kitchen facilities at the hospital. I understand that the Western Health Board is currently examining the feasibility of shared facilities between the Roscommon county hospital and the Sacred Heart hospital. I am not sure if the Senator or the Sacred Heart hospital will be happy with this proposal, but it might be an item we could put on the agenda when I visit the hospital. I hope that is satisfactory for the moment.

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