Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)

The original proposal was for a ten-bedroom unit which was modified to a 12-bedroom unit by the project team. I understand from the announcement that it has probably been scaled back to an eight-bedroom unit. The projected funding in 2002 was €1.7 million but it may have increased given the lapse of time. Although money for the unit would be provided through the public capital programme, I would like to see a commitment in regard to staffing and equipment, both of which are required to get this unit up and running. I am interested to hear the Minister of State's response and particularly an indication as to when construction will commence on this eight-bedroom unit.

Perhaps I can digress a little because there was other positive news for St. Ita's Hospital today. A great movement at local level was spearheaded by a local committee for the provision of a hospice on the campus of the hospital. That it has been allocated funding for a four-bedroom unit within the hospice is welcome. I compliment Fergus Scanlan and the local group and all the people in west Limerick on their commitment to and respect for the hospital given the amount of fund-raising done locally. They have been rewarded for their efforts by the Health Service Executive. I appreciate my Adjournment matter was in regard to St. Ita's hospital and the unit for the elderly mentally infirm, but I had to make that point also.