Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

I thank Senator Kitt for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am responding to it on behalf of my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney.

Following the closure by the Bon Secours order of the Grove hospital in Tuam, the former Western Health Board, now the HSE, western area, which is responsible, in the first instance, for the provision of health services in the Tuam area, took a decision to build a new 50-bed community hospital on the grounds and adjoining lands to replace the existing facility. This new hospital will comprise a mix of up to 30 beds for continuing care and the remaining beds will consist of direct access beds, rehabilitation or convalescent beds, respite beds and palliative care beds.

In line with what is generally provided in HSE district hospitals, the service will have a very significant mix of multidisciplinary staff, including medical, nursing, nursing support and paramedical staff, as well as other complementary therapists. Coupled with this, the HSE, western area, envisages the Tuam hospital functioning as the hub of a comprehensive outreach service providing home care programmes, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, chiropody, home nursing, home help and other flexible packages of care. These specialist care facilities will be supported by social support services such as community welfare and home advisory programmes. This project does not, therefore, envisage the re-opening of the old hospital for nursing care purposes.

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 service 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 the level of funding, both capital and revenue, in respect of services for older people. Between 1997 and 2004, total additional funding allocated was approximately €287 million and additional revenue funding of €15.228 million was announced for this year. This serves to demonstrate the Government's ongoing commitment to improving services for 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 2000 to 2004 was approximately €2.1 billion.

Considerable progress has been made in addressing the historical deficits in health infrastructure and improving the standards of facilities required for quality modern patient care. The national development plan is providing considerable capital funding for services for older people. On a national basis, this will enable a 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. Older people deserve first-class facilities and we intend to provide these in appropriate locations.

As the House will be aware, the Health Act 2004 provided for the Health Service Executive, which was established on 1 January 2005. Under the Act, the HSE has the responsibility to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. This includes responsibility for the proposed developments at Tuam hospital.

The HSE, western area, has prepared a project planning brief for the Tuam health campus incorporating a community hospital, Alzheimer's unit, child-care training centre, primary care unit and an ambulance base. As responsibility for the development of services now rests with the HSE, any decisions relating to this project, including its phasing, will be a matter for that body, having regard to the western area's overall capital funding priorities in the context of the HSE's service plan for 2005 and beyond. The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children believes that there is scope for innovative partnership working in the development and delivery of projects such as those proposed for Tuam and this is something that has been suggested for consideration by the HSE in respect of this particular project.

The House might wish to note that the Minister met with a cross-party delegation from Tuam Town Council at the end of January and was briefed on the proposal to develop a health campus on the grounds of the hospital. During the meeting the Tánaiste acknowledged the importance of utilising facilities which were purchased by the State for health care use, but this would have to be done in the context of the HSE's service plan for the western area. Members of the delegation put forward a number of suggestions on the options concerning the possible use of the Grove hospital building. The Tánaiste undertook to examine these options and to revert back to Tuam Town Council. I can assure the House that the Department will continue to liaise with the HSE to progress this project in the context of the HSE's service plan.