Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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77. To ask the Minister for Health if the necessary funding will be provided in order that St. Joseph's, Ramelton and Lifford community hospitals in County Donegal can meet HIQA standards and at a minimum retain their existing bed capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27784/17]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Many public units are housed in buildings that are less than ideal in the modern context, but notwithstanding this, the care delivered to residents is generally of a very high standard. It is important therefore that we upgrade our public bed stock and this is the aim of the 5 year Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units which was announced last year. This provides the framework to allow for an enhanced programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish these care facilities, as appropriate.

Significant work was undertaken to determine the most optimum scheduling of projects within the phased provision of funding to achieve compliance with National Standards. By the end of 2016 I understand that 14 projects were operational and a further 12 are expected to be operational by the end of this year.

Under this Programme it is proposed to build a new 130 bed community nursing unit in Letterkenny by the end of 2021, through a Public Private Partnership or alternative funding model, to replace existing long-stay accommodation including that provided at St Joseph's, Stranorlar and Ramelton and Lifford Community Hospitals.

Operational responsibility for delivering the programme is a matter for the HSE. The Executive has advised that the Letterkenny project is currently at Design Feasibility stage with a projected completion date of 2021. As part of the preparatory work for the development of the new community nursing unit, I understand that the HSE is undertaking a review of the three Community Hospitals, referred to by the Deputy with a view to identifying any options for their future use.