Noel Harrington (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Health his preferred ratio of public versus private long stay bed provision in the community for the future in view of the closure of two long stay care facilities in Bandon and Innishannon County Cork in recent times; if will undertake to review and commit to the extension of Bandon Community Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15860/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Both myself and my colleague, Minister Reilly are committed to the provision of a quality public nursing home service. Our overall objective is to protect the viability of as many units, including Bandon Community Hospital, as possible, within the funding and staffing resources available. The Department is working closely with the HSE to develop an overall plan regarding future public provision for the Minister’s consideration. The plan will reflect regional need and have regard to the current severe financial constraints, restrictions on public sector staffing and recruitment and the ongoing need to meet service and safety standards; all of which pose challenges for community nursing units across the country.