Press Release 11/12/09 Budget Neglects Borrisokane's Community Nursing Home Deputy Noel Coonan has highlighted the absence of any mention of commencing Borrisokane's long-awaited Community Nursing Home in Wednesday's Budget. “Responding to the Budget on Thursday, Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the Government will invest nearly half a billion euro in our health infrastructure and listed off numerous projects that will benefit nationwide but North Tipperary or Borrisokane's Community Nursing Home in particular was not prioritised on his list. Deputy Coonan continued: “The list included a new A&E Department in Drogeda, new cardiac and renal facilities in Cork University Hospital, upgrading of paediatric critical care facilities at Crumlin Hospital and critical care facilities in the Mid Western Regional Hospital in Limerick to name a few. There was no mention of furthering Borrisokane's Community Nursing Home. The Taoiseach said he is prioritising projects with the most immediate positive impact on the economy and employment. Is he not placing Borrisokane's project in this category? “We have one Independent Deputy presiding over the downgrading and semi-closure of Nenagh General Hospital while another Independent Deputy uses his deal with Government to secure a Community Hospital for Kenmare. Budget Estimates also give little hope for health infrastructure in my constituency with a cut in investment in HSE's Mid-Western region. I strongly feel North Tipperary is losing out in all areas including health,” commented the Fine Gael TD. “Earlier this year HSE officials told me that Capital Project approvals where no contractual obligation has been entered into have been withdrawn and this includes the Borrisokane's Community Nursing Home. The decision was necessary in part due to a national view of the changed financial position. Consequently, the project had to be resubmitted for reconsideration with the hope that revenue will be guaranteed. “We have no definite date for commencement of the project, let alone completion, but I will continue to lobby the HSE for urgent commencement of this project. Elderly folk have been hit hard by this Budget and it's time the Government came through for the people of Borrisokane and surrounding environs,” concluded Deputy Coonan. Ends Noel Coonan TD North Tipperary 086 2427733