128 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Health if he has any proposals to provide an Alzheimer's Unit in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Responsibility to provide care for patients with Alzheimer's disease in County Tipperary, South Riding, lies with the South-Eastern Health Board and North Riding, with the Mid-Western Health Board.

In South Tipperary services for Alzheimer patients are provided as part of the care available to the elderly. Patients with Alzheimer's disease are admitted to the assessment/rehabilitation unit at St. Patrick's Hospital, Cashel, and if extended care is necessary, it is also provided at St. Patrick's Hospital. In addition, the South-Eastern Health Board has proposed the establishment of a 14 bed unit for the elderly mentally infirm in South Tipperary. This unit, while not exclusively for Alzheimer cases, would accommodate some of the most severely affected by the disease.

The Mid-Western Health Board's planning brief for the Hospital of the Assumption, Thurles, provides for the extended care/respite care needs of the elderly with severe senile dementia.

The proposals of the South-Eastern and Mid-Western Health Boards will be considered in the light of any additional resources made available to develop services for the elderly and the competing priorities of the boards to improve care of those over 65 years of age.