Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 96: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if it is still intended to provide the 850 community nursing units promised by her predecessor in July 2002; when they are likely to be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4230/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The provision of step down services for people ready to be discharged from hospital is a key element in ensuring that health services are matched to patient needs. When I published the health Estimates for 2005, I announced that patients awaiting discharge from acute hospitals would be accommodated in private nursing home beds for up to six weeks. When a patient is discharged from a private nursing home, he or she will go to a nursing home of his or her choice or to his or her home with the support of a home care package.

It has been estimated that approximately 500 people could be accommodated in such beds over a 12-month period under the initiative. The home care packages will be extended to support 500 additional older people at home. Some 100 high dependency patients will transfer to suitable private nursing home care. The scope for using greater numbers of private nursing home beds to alleviate pressure on acute hospitals will be actively pursued.

Work is under way in the Department of Health and Children on a proposal for a public private partnership investment scheme for 850 community nursing units. There have been discussions between the Department and the Department of Finance on the development of the scheme. As the contracting structure of such schemes is complex, it is important to have a clear view of the benefits that will accrue from them. The work that has been done so far has helped to clarify a number of issues. I am aware that additional long stay bed capacity is required to relieve pressure on the acute hospital and community care programme. I will pursue the need to deliver such capacity with the Minister for Finance as a matter of high priority.