┌darβs na Gaeltachta has marked its first significant venture in the Gaeltacht's social economy. The Irish language agency has agreed to fund construction of a 50-bed nursing home in Carna, Connemara, which is due to be completed in 12 months at a cost of £2.5 million. When it opens, some 36 senior citizens in distant nursing homes will be "repatriated" to south-west Connemara, and up to 25 health care jobs will be created. It represents a new departure for the agency which has been the subject of some criticism in recent years over its industrial policy - designed to support Irish language communities.
The Carna nursing home is the brainchild of local general practitioner, Dr Michael Casey, and Coiste na nAosach, a community- based group in Carna. "It is a partnership between the community, the semi-state and private enterprise," Dr Casey explains - he being the private investor. ┌darβs na Gaeltachta is giving £850,000 towards construction costs.
To date, the nearest public nursing home for the elderly in Carna has been 26 miles away in Carraroe - where there are 50 names on the waiting list. Many people had no option but to take places in homes in south Galway - as far away as Kinvara, and Loughrea to the east. Others went to Cleggan, Clifden and Merlin Park hospital in Galway. "It has been very isolating for these people, because they were moving into an English-speaking residence, and because of the distance from home, and relatives," Dr Casey told The Irish Times.
The Department of Health, through the Western Health Board, has agreed to pre-purchase £300,000 worth of beds annually, which will automatically maintain 15 beds a year. It is expected that the Western Health Board will also finance between five and 10 beds for patients with Alzheimer's disease.
The first sod was turned on location last Friday by the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources and Galway West TD, Mr Fahey, who is a former junior health minister.
┌darβs na Gaeltachta says it has begun grant-aiding projects linked to the social economy over the past two years, but this is the first major venture to come on stream.
Mr Padraig ╙ hAolain of ┌darβs na Gaeltachta said the authority had commissioned NUI Galway to carry out a study of socio-economic requirements in the Gaeltacht, looking at gaps and deficiencies where intervention was required.
The authority is already involved in pre-school provision and has provided sites to voluntary committees for day-care centres.
