Frank Feighan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I know the Minister of State is familiar with the vital projects in counties Leitrim and Roscommon that I am raising this morning. One of the most comprehensive programmes of investment in public nursing home facilities in the history of the State was unveiled under the previous Fine Gael-led Government. As part of a €400 million investment programme, 33 existing nursing home facilities are being replaced and a further 57 facilities are being refurbished or extended. Before this breakthrough announcement, many communities feared that some nursing home facilities would be closed because of a failure to meet the required HIQA standards. Naturally, this caused a great deal of concern among communities across the country. This significant funding programme means that such closures will not happen.

The excellence of the care received at many of these nursing homes must always be acknowledged. However, the physical environment requires substantial improvements, as the Minister of State is aware. The biggest beneficiaries of this funding in my region are St. Patrick's Hospital in Carrick-on-Shannon, which has received €16 million for a new 90-bed community hospital, and the Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon town, which has received €9 million for a new 50-bed unit. There has been some concern recently about the identification of a site for the new St. Patrick's Hospital in Carrick-on-Shannon. One site that was previously earmarked for the project fell through because of concerns about potential flooding. I understand that a preferred site has now been selected. The Minister of State might be able to shed some light on when this site will be purchased to allow this project to be advanced. The upgrade project at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Roscommon will involve an extensive refurbishment of the building to provide residents' accommodation in en suite, single and two-bed rooms, along with suitable communal space and sanitary facilities. I understand there are difficulties getting these projects up and running from a management point of view. I would be grateful if the Minister of State could outline a timeline for the planning and design elements of these projects, both of which are very important for Roscommon and Leitrim.