Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Kerry South, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 297: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the way by which she reconciles the employment ceiling in the health services with the Government's commitment to provide 850 new community nursing home beds; the number of these beds which have been provided; if the staff allocated have been provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10933/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Work has been 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 my Department and the Department of Finance in the development of this PPP scheme. These are complex schemes and it is important to have a clear view of the benefits that will accrue given the complexity of the PPP contracting structure. The work that has been done so far has helped to clarify a number of issues.

I am very aware that additional long stay bed capacity is required to relieve pressure on the acute hospital and community care programme and I will be pursuing the need to deliver such capacity with the Minister for Finance as a matter of high priority. The provision of these additional long stay beds must be considered in the context of the capital investment programme and the employment ceiling.