Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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227. To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which he continues to monitor development at a nursing home (details supplied) with a view to ensuring the retention of existing bed spaces in view of the national shortage in this area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6621/18]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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The long term beds provided by public nursing homes are an essential part of our infrastructure, and without them many older people would not have access to the care that they need. The standard of care delivered to residents in these units is generally very high, but we recognise that many of our public units are housed in buildings that are less than ideal in the modern context. For this reason the Capital Programme announced in January 2016 provides for the replacement and refurbishment of up to 90 public nursing homes across the country over the five year period from 2016 to 2021.

St. Brigid's Nursing Home Crooksling comprises of fifty long stay beds and five respite beds. It has faced a number of challenges in recent years; the physical environment is unsuitable as a long-stay residence and works undertaken by the HSE at the home have only been able to prolong its use on a short term basis. Under the five year programme, the Government is committed to delivering a new 100 bed Community Nursing Unit at Tymon North to replace St Brigid’s. Construction of the new unit is due to be completed in early 2019.