Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Senator for his good wishes and for raising this matter. He is correct that one project might be insignificant but this always reminds me of the problem associated with the school transport system. It might appear easy for the State to extend the service for a child living 0.1 of a mile too near the school to qualify for school transport. The problem is that if the State provides transport for one child in this situation, it will have to multiply the figure by the number of children in the same position throughout the country. That is where the issue of cost comes in. One must always keep in mind the multiplier effect. That is the nub of the matter.

The Government has made services for older people a priority and is fully committed to the development of a comprehensive health service which is capable of responding quickly, fully and effectively to the health service needs of older people for whom a significant amount has been done for in hospitals and the community. The level of funding, both capital and revenue, in respect of services for older people has been increased. For example, in excess of €280 million in additional revenue funding has been allocated to such services from 1997 to date. This indicates we are putting money into the services, but more is required. Significant capital funding for the health sector has been provided. Total expenditure in the years 2000-03 was approximately €1.7 billion. It is recognised that historical deficits are being addressed.

The national development plan is providing considerable capital funding for services for older people. On a national basis, this will enable comprehensive infrastructure of community nursing units and day care facilities to be put in place, as well as the refurbishment of existing extended care facilities and the replacement of old workhouse-type accommodation — always a sore point with rural people. If they could avoid it, people from Connemara would not send their older relatives to an excellent home in Loughrea because at one time it was the workhouse. Older people deserve first class facilities which we intend to provide at appropriate locations.

As the Deputy is aware, the provision of health services in Cork is a matter for the Southern Health Board. A project team established by the board developed and prepared a draft design brief and submitted it to the Department of Health and Children. The proposal to provide an extension to the community hospital in Schull can only be considered by the Department, in conjunction with the Southern Health Board, in the context of prioritising new capital commitments under the health capital investment framework 2004-08. This will have to take account of the funding resources, both capital and non-capital, required for the project, in line with the overall resources available to the Department. In the period since the draft brief was submitted, various other capital priorities have been progressed for the board, including the community hospital at Bandon. In the circumstances, it is not yet possible to give a time scale for completion of this proposed development. The Department fully appreciates the need for improved infrastructural works at the hospital and will continue to liaise closely with the Southern Health Board on the matter.