Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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It is nice to see the Minister of State again. I was not allowed to raise this issue on the Adjournment yesterday but I believe there has been some good news on it. I will not say I was the catalyst for it as a result of raising it yesterday as I believe it was in the public capital programme. I am pleased there has been some positive news because I have consistently raised this issue. I raised it when I was a Member of the Dáil and I have raised it on the Adjournment in the Seanad on successive occasions.

In 2002 a project team considered a 12-bedroom unit for the elderly mentally infirm in St. Ita's Hospital in Newcastle West. I believed it was a desirable proposal because it was wrong that doors in wards in St. Ita's Hospital, which does tremendous work, had to be locked to keep people from wandering off. I and the staff of the hospital, who do great work, could see the necessity for this unit.

Since 2000 I have raised this issue and have been told about progress in the Department which seemed to be very slow. I watched a succession of Ministers visit the constituency. If they came to Newcastle West, St. Ita's Hospital was naturally part of the tour. The former Ministers for Health and Children, Deputies Cowen and Martin, visited the hospital as did the Taoiseach prior to the last general election. The Minister of State, Deputy Seán Power, visited as did his predecessor, Deputy Callely. I am sure others visited as well who I could not monitor. I would not always be consulted about such visits.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I am sure the Senator does not miss much.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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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.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I thank Senator Finucane for raising this matter as it provides me with an opportunity to outline the need for an Alzheimer's unit at St. Ita's Hospital at Newcastle West. This is an issue in which Senator Finucane and some of his Oireachtas colleagues have taken a great interest for a number of years.

The provision of health services in County Limerick is a matter for the Health Service Executive, mid-western area, in the first instance. In 2000, as part of the national development plan, it was agreed that a project team be established for the development of a ten-bed elderly mentally infirm unit at St. Ita's Hospital, Newcastle West. The project team subsequently decided that the development should be increased to a 12 bed unit. The scope of this development is in keeping with the objectives laid down in the report, The Years Ahead — A Policy for the Elderly, and will comprise bed accommodation and ancillary facilities initially for 12 in-patients, including up to a maximum of four dedicated respite beds.

Provision has been made for this development within the health capital investment framework, 2005-09. Planning permission for the proposed development has been obtained from the local planning authority. The former Mid-Western Health Board submitted documentation to the Department of Health and Children in regard to this project with a request for approval to seek tenders for construction of the unit. The management and delivery of health and personal social services are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive under the Health Act 2004.

In the letter which issued yesterday to the Health Service Executive, the Tánaiste has conveyed agreement that the executive is now authorised to proceed with the programme of works for 2005. The Senator is already aware that this project is included in that programme. I understand from the Health Service Executive that the project will now be progressed. However, I cannot give an exact date but the money has been provided and I will ensure there is no further delay in progressing the matter.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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Can the Minister of State give an indication as to the amount of funding that will be provided?

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I do not have the figure but I can send it to the Senator.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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Will it be an eight-bedroom unit rather than the original 12 bedroom unit?

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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The Senator mentioned the possibility of the unit being an eight-bedroom unit and that was news to me. I will have that matter clarified for the Senator and the total amount of funding.

Michael Finucane (Fine Gael)
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The Minister of State has probably got that information in his supplementary response and he can let me have it.

Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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I have given the Senator the exact information available to me. I will make further inquiries and contact the Senator tomorrow.