Hospitals Funding

Thursday, 25 June 2015

Questions (160)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

160. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide funding for a hospital (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25454/15]

View answer

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Cobh Community Hospital is a voluntary organisation providing long-term residential and short-term care. As an approved centre for the purposes of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme residents can receive financial support towards their cost of care at Cobh. The hospital also receives funding from the HSE under Section 39 of the Health Act 2004.

Since 2009 all nursing homes - public, voluntary (including Cobh Community Hospital) and private - have been registered and inspected by HIQA. Demand for capital investment for the Community Nursing Unit programme far exceeds the funding available, and investment must therefore be allocated as effectively as possible based on the HSE's assessment of priorities. At present this funding programme focuses on the upgrade and refurbishment of existing public facilities to achieve compliance with HIQA requirements.