Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children, Deputy Tim O'Malley, to the House and thank him for coming in to reply to this Adjournment matter, on the need for a 20-bed extension to the age care unit of Riada House, Tullamore, County Offaly. As a former member of the health board the bed issue is important but there were kitchen improvement works and developments in the day care area.

More than 12 months ago there was a problem with the closure of a private nursing home in the area which created huge problems for Offaly patients. The Health Service Executive has been using beds in Mountmellick, County Laois, and Athlone, County Westmeath, for Offaly patients. We have Riada House in Tullamore, Edenderry and a new unit in Birr. The position was reasonably satisfactory until the problem occurred in Rahan. There was then a complete blockage in Edenderry, Mountmellick, Athlone and Birr. There is no spare capacity. A problem arises where a large number of patients who are in the regional hospital in Tullamore should be in step-down facilities or moved elsewhere to allow the hospital work to full capacity.

Given the capital programme for 2006 I ask the Department to give the go-ahead for the extension which has been at architectural planning stage for some time. Such an extension would make an enormous difference to people in the Tullamore area. The Minister of State is well aware of the need for it and I compliment him on the work he is doing around the country in regard to the provision of extra beds for the elderly. While there is a problem it will become serious as time goes on. I look forward to a favourable reply from the Minister of State. I thank him and the Minister, Deputy Harney, for their outstanding work in the health area.