Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)
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Question 210: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will set out the actual bed complement that will exist within the Killarney area for the care of the elderly services in the context of the proposed amalgamation of St. Columbanus Home and Killarney Community Hospital; if she will give the breakdown of long stay beds, step down beds, respite and palliative care facilities that will be available to the public following this amalgamation; if the proposed changes in Killarney are indicative of a policy shift that may lead to the closure of community hospitals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21426/09]

Áine Brady (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware Government policy in relation to older people is to support them to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to quality long-term residential care. The current long stay residential care needs for older people in the Kerry area are met by the provision of continuing care beds in public facilities and contracted beds in private registered nursing homes.

St. Columbanus Home, Killarney is a long stay residential unit, Killarney Community Hospital is a step down facility which does not have long stay beds but a range of respite, convalescent and palliative care beds. Both hospitals are adjacent to one another. Following the retirement of the Director of Nursing of Killarney Community Hospital, the matron of St Columbanus Home assumed responsibility for the management and governance of service provision across the two sites. The HSE has advised that this amalgamation will bring greater efficiencies, better integration of services and an enhanced governance structure. It will also enhance the continuum of care for older people and support where possible those that reside in the community through respite and convalescence, as well as providing continuing care facilities for those with an assessed need.

The HSE is preparing for the introduction of the National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People in Ireland. These will be introduced in July 2009 and the HSE sees the new nursing management structure of the two hospitals as the appropriate direction to take in readiness for the introduction of these standards.

The priority capital developments for long stay care which have been approved for Co. Kerry are the new community hospital in Dingle, and the new community nursing unit at Killerisk, Tralee. In Dingle construction has just been completed at the community hospital and the unit is currently being commissioned. It replaces the existing 43 bedded unit and will also provide an additional 25 beds for the catchment area. The new 50 bed unit at Tralee, is also currently being commissioned.

The overall capital cost of these developments is in excess of €25m and with revenue costs of €7.6m. This represents a major commitment to support the development of Services for Older People in the Kerry area.

The breakdown of long stay beds, step down beds, respite and palliative care facilities that will be available to the public following this amalgamation, is a service matter and accordingly it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.