Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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666. To ask the Minister for Health if a timeframe has been set out for the delivery of a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30817/18]

Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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At present, St. Christopher’s Hospice provides three palliative care support beds as well as residential care for 10 local people with profound disabilities. However, because of increased demand and an expansion of services provided the local specialist palliative care team, there is a need to provide for a dedicated specialist palliative care unit in Cavan.

An options appraisal for St. Christopher’s Hospice is taking place and a report is due in the next two weeks. A meeting between the Head of Primary Care in CHO1, the HSE National Lead for Palliative Care and St Christopher's Hospice is scheduled to take place later this month to discuss the findings of the report. A project board will be established by the HSE and St. Christopher’s Hospice once the options appraisal is completed.

St. Christopher's Hospice is included on the national development plan for new specialist palliative care inpatient units with a view to opening in 2021. The HSE is committed to developing the specialist palliative care unit and will continue to work with St. Christopher’s Hospice to ensure that the development takes place.