Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am not certain that I can give the Senator the answers to his two later questions but I will get the information for him. I am very conscious of his concerns as he has made them very clear to me over a long number of years. I think it has been his persistence that has ensured that negative decisions have not been made in relation to those areas. I will inquire further.

It is important that HIQA is centrally involved in terms of the care of the elderly and vulnerable adults of all descriptions and now in terms of facilities for children with disabilities. It is about choices, even when one is at an advanced stage, whether that choice for a single private room or that one would share a room. In the event of a couple in a long-standing relationship, they should be accommodated as well. I think that is the type of future we should be seeking to present for ourselves more than anyone else.

As Senator Whelan is aware, Government policy is to support older 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 appropriate quality long-term residential care, including the provision of financial assistance under the nursing homes support scheme. In 2014, with a budget of almost €939 million, financial support will be provided to more than 22,000 people in nursing homes. I think that number has increased slightly in the past month or two. It is nearer 23,000 now. Providing public residential care for older persons forms a significant and crucial part of the services provided and our overall objective is to protect the viability of as many units as possible, within the funding and staffing resources available. This is to provide choice. The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health and personal social services, including those at facilities such as St. Vincent's hospital, which is located on the outskirts of Mountmellick town. St. Vincent's was registered by HIQA in April 2012 for a period of three years. The registration renewal process is under way. The current capacity is 100 beds, 89 of which are occupied at present. The numbers in community nursing units always fluctuate.

As the Senator will be aware, all developments must be addressed in light of the resources available and everyone accepts that fact in the current circumstances. Given that demand for capital investment for the community nursing unit programme far exceeds the funding available, investment must be allocated as objectively as possible based on the HSE's assessment of priorities. The same principle applies in the context of the previous Adjournment matter. Currently the funding for the community nursing unit programme focuses on the upgrade and refurbishment of existing facilities to achieve HIQA compliance. There have been ongoing capital works within the hospital to enhance the quality of the service. Earlier this year the HSE allocated €400,000 to address HIQA-compliance works at St Vincent's and some minor capital works are due to commence shortly on the infrastructure. This confirms, more than anything else, that there is a future for this unit.

Work is underway on the next multi-annual capital plan for the period 2015 to 2019. Needs and priorities across the community nursing unit programme will be considered again in this context. However, funding for new projects will unfortunately be limited and projects will be selected based on clear and objective prioritisation. I am sure that Senator Whelan would have it no other way. The Department is continuing to work with the HSE in addressing the ongoing need to meet service and safety standards. Every effort will be made within available resources to ensure that the highest standards of care will continue to be provided to all residents in a safe and secure environment and that we meet the needs of those who need our services in the best way possible.