Michael Harty (Clare, Independent)
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604. To ask the Minister for Health if the HSE has abandoned plans to complete a new 50-bed elderly care unit by 2021 at St. Joseph's Hospital, Ennis in favour of a facility at an unknown greenfield site to be completed at some time in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30607/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, my Department has asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly in relation to the current position regarding the development of a community nursing unit in Ennis.

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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605. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 388 of 3 July 2018, if a capital submission plan for the upgrade of St. Joseph's Community Hospital, Stranorlar, Lifford Community Hospital and Ramelton Community Hospital was received in March 2018 from area 1 of the HSE; if a final decision has been made regarding the proposals contained within the submission; if the capital plan has been amended to allow for the new proposals contained within the March 2018 submission; the timeline to address the proposals; if he will clarify the matter in view of the fact that it directly relates to departmental policy and is not solely a matter for the HSE as indicated the reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30608/18]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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606. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 389 of 3 July 2018, if a copy of the March 2018 submission regarding three community hospitals in County Donegal was received from area 1 of the HSE; the timeframe to address the proposals within the existing lifetime of the current capital plan; if a supplementary budget has been prepared in order to deal with the proposals of the submission within the capital plan; if he will clarify a matter in view of the fact that it directly relates to departmental policy and is not solely a matter for the HSE as indicated the reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30609/18]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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607. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 390 of 3 July 2018, the proposals contained within the capital submission plan forwarded by HSE area 1 for Lifford Community Hospital; the proposals contained within the existing plan; the timeline for the hospital in terms of the current capital plan; the new or additional proposals contained within the March 2018 submission from HSE area 1; if he will clarify a matter in view of the fact that it directly relates to departmental policy and is not solely a matter for the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30610/18]

Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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608. To ask the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 390 of 3 July 2018, if the current capital plan for community hospitals is sufficiently funded and can meet the proposals contained within the additional capital plan submission from the HSE area 1 as applied for in March 2018; if not, his plans for additional funding; if he will clarify the matter in view of the fact that it directly relates to departmental policy and is not solely a matter for the HSE as indicated the reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30611/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 605 to 608, inclusive, together.

The Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units provides the framework to allow for an enhanced programme to replace, upgrade and refurbish, as appropriate. The programme includes a number of facilities in Donegal. Significant work was undertaken to determine the most optimum scheduling of projects within the phased provision of funding to achieve compliance and registration with the Health Information and Quality Authority. Furthermore, the National Development Plan, published earlier this year as part of the Ireland 2040 policy initiative, acknowledges the need for additional capacity requirements and it is expected that 4,500 additional short-term and long-term beds will be required across the public system in Community Nursing Units and other step-down facilities, as identified by the Health Capacity Review.

Under the NDP, health capital projects and programmes currently underway will continue - including the Capital Investment Programme for Community Nursing Units. These major priority projects and programmes will require the bulk of the notified capital allocation over the initial period of the Plan, 2018-2022. It is important to recognise that the NDP is a long-term plan, which will roll out over ten years and includes provision for a large number of developments across the country.

The Minister for Mental Health and Older People Jim Daly TD is aware of local concerns that have been raised relating to the future of long-stay residential care provision in the East Donegal area. There is a process in place for the agreement and prioritisation of capital projects. Since his visit to Donegal earlier this year officials from the Department have engaged with the HSE to ensure that investment in facilities in the area will meet the needs of the community. The Minister is pleased to note that additional dementia beds are now available within St Joseph's Hospital.