Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 107: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will confirm that it has now been decided not to proceed with the 850 community nursing units, announced in July 2002, and which were intended to provide step-down facilities for elderly patients and thus relieve pressure on acute hospital beds; the reason for such decision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15318/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Work has been under way in my Department on the proposal to deliver 850 community nursing unit beds through a public private partnership, or PPP, and the work that has been done so far has helped to clarify several issues. My Department has been examining other procurement options with a view to finding the approach that will deliver the best services and value for money to the Exchequer.

In that regard there have been discussions between my Department and the Department of Finance on an initiative based on entering into a medium-term service agreement with the private sector to deliver the additional long-stay beds required to relieve pressure on the acute hospitals and community care programme.

I will be pursuing that initiative with the Minister for Finance as a matter of high priority, with a view to agreeing that the proposal be developed further to evaluate its cost-effectiveness.