Minister for Health Mary Harney has announced a €50 million investment programme to upgrade healthcare facilities for older people throughout the State.
The new minor capital programme will concentrate on public facilities for the elderly, particularly those units which were built many years ago and require upgrading.
The money will be used to provide grants for smaller projects, to replace furniture and equipment, and deal with fire and health and safety issues.
Ms Harney said the programme would bring about improvements in basic amenities which directly affected the lives of older people. "It will be designed to ensure an enhancement of living conditions and will be responsive to the needs of older people," she said.
Minister of State for Health with responsibility for services for the elderly Seán Power said the €50 million investment, together with changes in the regulatory environment, showed the Government's commitment to placing services for older people at the heart of its reform and investment programmes.
The Health Service Executive and the Department of Health will develop a schedule of projects to benefit from the €50 million investment programme. There will be no additional revenue or staff costs involved.
In its statement yesterday the Department of Health reiterated that it was examining the current framework for the inspection of nursing homes around the country.
The department is also reviewing legislation governing the operation of nursing homes. This legislation was criticised in the wake of the controversy surrounding the former Leas Cross nursing home in north Dublin.
