Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I am taking this matter on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank the Senator for raising this issue as it provides me with an opportunity to re-affirm the Government's commitment to developing community based services at a local level.

Government policy in regard to older people is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. This policy approach is renewed and developed in the current partnership agreement, Towards 2016. The Government's objective of the continued development of community-based services for older persons is reflected in the funding provided in recent times. Since 2006, over €200 million in additional investment has been provided to develop community care services.

As the Senator is aware, the Health Act 2004 provides the Health Service Executive with responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services. As a statutory body, the provision of these services, including progressing community hospitals at local level, is therefore an operational matter for the executive. The HSE is committed through its national service and capital plans to deliver services through the use of its Vote, which is provided by the Oireachtas.

In Dungarvan, construction has just been completed at the community hospital and the executive recently took charge of the building. The facility includes a new 32-bed unit. Some eight of these are additional beds and the other 24 will be replacement beds. In addition, there will be a 15-place day hospital. The new building will replace the existing St Vincent's District Hospital for older people and will provide GP access beds, convalescent, respite and terminal care and short-term accommodation for dependent, chronically ill young patients. Its role will be focused on providing non-acute services to complement those of the general hospital. The community day hospital will provide outpatient services for older persons. The intention in this regard is to enable older people to continue to live at home and avoid hospital admission. The overall capital cost of this development is approximately €12 million.

In light of the current financial difficulties generally, however, it will be a matter for the HSE to progress the equipping phase as part of its agreed capital programme for 2009 and beyond. This would have to take account of priorities determined nationally by the executive, including decisions in respect of new community facilities coming on stream. Such initiatives must be in line with agreed capital envelopes and must identify any additional revenue or staffing implications arising from a particular project.