John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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229. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide funding to develop fully the facility of Castlecomer Community Hospital, County Kilkenny; if homes for elderly persons will be provided as part of the development of this building, in view of the shortage of housing accommodation generally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40469/16]

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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230. To ask the Minister for Health if he will conduct a needs analysis into the provision of long-term care of elderly persons in County Kilkenny; if he will fund the reopening of the old auxiliary hospital in Kilkenny city as a centre of care for elderly persons with housing accommodation for elderly persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40470/16]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The overarching policy of the Government is to support older people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not possible, the Health Service Executive supports access to quality long-term residential care where this is appropriate. It is my objective to ensure that available resources are deployed to achieve the best possible outcomes for older people. A Single Assessment Tool is already being developed which will allow for much more consistent and objective assessment of the needs of older people and as a result a better targeting of available resources to where they are most needed, and will deliver the best outcomes.

As the issues raised by the Deputy in relation to particular HSE facilities are operational matters they have been referred to the HSE for direct reply.