Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Seán Power, to the House, congratulate him on his appointment and wish him well.

I have raised this matter on many occasions both in the Dáil and Seanad. The provision of an Alzheimer's unit was provided for in the National Development Plan 2001-2006. According to a reply received from the then Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Dr. Moffatt, on 16 October 2001, it was indicated that it would be completed in the latter half of this development plan.

Discussions regarding the provision of an Alzheimer's unit have been taking place for at least the past six years. During that time, St. Ita's Hospital has been visited by a succession of Ministers. When there is a ministerial visit to west Limerick it seems to be de rigueur to turn up at St. Ita's Hospital and give one's blessing to the Alzheimer's unit. For example, the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Deputy Martin, when Minister for Health and Children, the Taoiseach prior to the last election and the Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Deputy Callely, when Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, following one of the Government's sojourns in Killarney, visited the hospital. They have all been made aware of the importance of the Alzheimer's unit and it is time construction took place.

I understand it is up to the Department of Health and Children to give approval to the Mid-Western Health Board to invite tenders. There has been enough delay in the provision of this essential building. I understand it is being included in the Department's capital investment framework for 2004-08 so the time is stretching out.

St. Ita's Hospital was constructed in 1840 and renovated in 1975. Many parts of the hospital require constant refurbishment. St. Ita's Hospital urgently needs this dedicated unit because it is unfair to those patients in wards who do not have Alzheimer's disease and those visiting them because doors have to be locked in certain wards within the hospital. The staff at St. Ita's Hospital do great work and both they and the members of the community are bitterly disappointed that decisive action has not been taken. I call on the Minister for Health and Children to give a clear-cut commitment as to when this unit will be provided. There has been enough delay on this issue and urgent action is required. I look forward to the response of the Minister of State.