Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank the Senator for raising this matter. The Government has made services for older people a priority and is fully committed to the development of a comprehensive health service capable of responding quickly, fully and effectively to the health needs of older people. In recent years, health and social services for older people have improved, both in hospitals and in the community. Since coming into office, the Government has substantially increased funding, both capital and revenue, in respect of services for older people. For example, more than €295 million in additional revenue funding has been allocated to these services from 1997 to date. This serves to demonstrate the Government's ongoing commitment to improving services to our older population.

Significant capital funding for the health sector has been provided since the commencement of the national development plan in 2000. Total expenditure for the years 2000-03 was approximately €1.7 billion. Considerable progress has been made in addressing the historical deficits in health infrastructure and improved the standards of facilities required for quality modern patient care. The NDP provides considerable capital funding to services for older people. This will enable a comprehensive infrastructure of community nursing units and day care facilities to be put in place on a national basis as well as the refurbishment of existing extended care facilities and the replacement of old workhouse-type accommodation. Older people deserve first class facilities and we intend to provide such facilities in appropriate locations.

Responsibility for the provision of health services in County Galway rests with the Health Service Executive western area, in the first instance. The HSE western area has advised that agreement was reached, in principle, with the VEC regarding the use of its premises in Gort as a health facility for mental health and community care services. This project, which was initiated by community services due to constraints on their existing facilities, was subject to planning for change of use and also in regard to ownership of the site. With plans under way for the re-orientation of services in east Galway, it is intended that developments in the Gort area will be considered as part of this overall process. No formal application for funding has been submitted to the Department of Health and Children for the provision of a health and day care centre in Gort but the project was included in the Health Service Executive western area's submission for funding under the NDP.

As the Senator will be aware, the Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, HSE, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the executive is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services.

As part of the HSE's responsibility to prepare and submit an annual service plan for approval, it is obliged to indicate any capital plans proposed by the executive. In this process, the executive can be expected to have regard to the full range of potential capital developments, its own criteria in determining priorities, available resources and any other relevant factors.