Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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423. To ask the Minister for Health his plans for the future use and development of the three community hospitals in Lifford, Ramelton and St. Joseph's, Stranorlar; the amount of funding he proposes for these hospitals in the current and coming years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31651/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The beds provided by public nursing homes are an essential part of our healthcare infrastructure, and without them many older people would not have access to the care that they need. These beds will continue to be very much needed over the coming years as the number of older people increases in line with demographic trends. It is therefore essential that they are put on a sustainable footing and that the fabric of the buildings from which they operate is modernised and improved.

The Capital Programme announced earlier this year provides for the replacement and refurbishment of public nursing homes across the country over the next five years. Significant work was undertaken by the HSE in determining the most appropriate scheduling of projects over the 5 year period from 2016 to 2021, within the phased provision of funding, to achieve compliance and registration with the Health Information and Quality Authority.

Under this Capital Programme it is proposed to deliver a 130 bed unit at Letterkenny to replace the 3 units referred to by the Deputy in Donegal. All healthcare infrastructure developments, including this development, must comply with relevant Public Sector Guidelines and EU Directives and will require a lead-in time to complete the various stages. This includes appraisal, project brief, design feasibility, detailed design, and finalisation of financing and review of costing estimates.

There has been no proposal to close any of the units in question. However, they may not be suitable for upgrading to the Standards required by HIQA for long stay residential care. Given the requirement for additional services to provide for the needs for older persons right around the country, including Donegal, there will, in parallel with residential beds, be an on-going need for the provision of short stay services, such as rehabilitation, respite, step up, step down facilities, all with a view of maintaining older people in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. It is in the context of this planning for the coming years that the future use and purpose of the current buildings in Ramelton, Lifford and Stranorlar will be considered in order to ensure that an appropriate service is provided for the older people living in their own community in Donegal.