Vol. 569 No. 3
98 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health and Children the reason the assessment and rehabilitation unit at Bantry hospital is lying idle and unopened; the reason the original plan under the NDP for a 20 bed unit was abandoned; the reason the smaller unit of eight beds which was completed in 2002 has not been staffed; the arrangements which have been put in place to secure staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17617/03]
The provision of services at Bantry General Hospital is a matter for the Southern Health Board. The board has been supporting the phased development of services at the hospital over the past number of years.
A total of €2.45 million has been invested in improving the physical structure of the hospital and in the upgrading and replacement of equipment. As part of the ongoing developments an additional eight beds are being provided in the hospital under the bed capacity initiative. Construction of the eight-bedded extension was completed in 2002 and I provided revenue funding of €350,000 to open these beds. The board intends that these beds, which will initially serve the medical needs of the hospital, will be opened over the coming months.
