"Mullingar Hospital additional beds in 2007," says Minister Martin Micheál Martin T.D., Minister for Health and Children, has stated that Phase 2B of Longford/Westmeath General Hospital at Mullingar 'will be completed in 2007'. This disappointing information was contained in a letter from Minister Martin to Deputy Paul McGrath. "While I expected that it would take some time for the additional beds to come on stream at Mullingar," says Deputy McGrath, "I am shocked that Minister Martin has stated that there will be a 6 year lead in time to the completion of this hospital." "This news is particularly disappointing when we realise that the actual building to accommodate most of the additional beds is already built and paid for with tax payers’ money since 1997," says McGrath. "While I appreciate that the proposed Acute Psychiatric Unit of 36 beds will probably require additional construction it seems incredible that the existing four floors cannot be fitted out and utilised earlier then the 6 year time frame as envisaged by the Minister," says Deputy McGrath. "There will be virtually no expenditure on this project in 2001 since the only activity will be the recruiting and appointment of an architect to design the building layout and new additions," says Deputy McGrath. "I now call on the Minister for review how the much needed additional beds can be provided in the unused 4-storey block at Mullingar Hospital," says Deputy McGrath.

Fine Gael launch major policy on the elderly Deputy Paul McGrath welcomed the recent launch of a major policy on the elderly by Fine Gael. Fine Gael, in a major new policy initiative on the elderly, promised substantial investment to promote active retirement and support independent living for Ireland's elderly population, while providing greater supports for carers. "Services for older people in Ireland fall short of adequate standard," says McGrath. "They are characterised by huge gaps, by queues and waiting lists, and by unaffordable costs and the proposals by Fine Gael will go a long way towards eliminating those problems," says McGrath. Key findings include: The population aged over 65 in Ireland is growing rapidly and is forecast to increase by 400,000 by the year 2030, an increase of 50%. At present, less than half of full time carers receive any financial support from the state. Access to long-stay residential care is highly arbitrary and inequitable. No adequate preventative health strategy has been developed to manage the problems of older age. "Older people must be encouraged to live in their own homes and communities with the adequate supports available to them," says McGrath. According to Deputy McGrath, in the Midland Health Board area there are 25,000 elderly people of which 6,553 (27%) live alone. Of those living alone 1,765 receive home help and this represents only 7% of all elderly in the Midlands Health Board area. In addition there are only 97 Public Health nurses serving the entire population of elderly (i.e. 25,000) in the midlands region. Deputy McGrath said that many families with an elderly relative very often find that the necessary supports required to keep an elderly person at home are not there and the family is often left with no alternative but Nursing Home care. At the moment the total number of elderly receiving the Nursing Home subvention in the midlands region is 367. The average subvention is only £131 per week, with families often struggling to make up the downfall of up to £300 per week. At present less than half of full time carers receive any financial support from the state. According to Deputy McGrath, at the moment in the Midland Health Board area there are only 48 respite beds which serve the entire elderly population. It is a sad fact that in this day and age that a carer can only expect to receive an estimated 2.23 days off in the entire year, even though very often they provide up to 50 hours unpaid care per week. Fine Gael is committed to tackling the neglect that the elderly have endured under this Government for the past 4 years. Our proposals include: Doubling the home help services which will also be extended to provide for out of hours and weekend cover. The non-contributory old age pension will also be raised by £10.50 per week. The winter fuel allowance will be doubled and extended to run over a seven-month period. Raising the income disregard for the carer's allowance to £370 per week. The introduction of a 'Continuous Care Grant' up to a maximum of £2,000 per annum depending on the level of care needs, which will not be means tested, will be related to care needs and will be paid to the person receiving the care. The establishment of a fund for those who continue to work after retirement age. They will be allowed to invest a certain sum tax-free each year in a security fund for later use. A quota of lottery funds will also be put in place for active retirement proposals and training provided in Information Technology. Improved travel options "The annual cost of implementing these proposals is estimated to exceed £400 million by the fourth year of the programme. However, Fine Gael feels that these new proposals will lay the foundation for high quality services that will ensure a fulfilled and contented old age," says Deputy McGrath. Return to Media Centre

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