Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will start with the nursing home matter that Deputy Kelleher raises. The Deputy is correct. On the issue of the 'flu this winter, for example, once the HSE started engaging proactively with the nursing homes when we put the additional measures in place in January, we saw that there is a willingness on behalf of nursing homes and their representative bodies to work with the health service to cater and care for the needs of residents within the nursing home without the need to transfer them to the acute hospital. It became apparent that the nursing homes were willing to work with the health service and if that work can be built on further, that will have two results. First, it can result in nursing homes no longer feeling compelled to send an older person to an acute hospital when the care could be better provided in a nursing home, particularly if somebody has his or her own room, en suitefacility, etc., and infection can be controlled. Second, an older person can often be provided with more dignity and comfort by being able to remain in the nursing home. I do not disagree with Deputy Kelleher in regard to that.

I am glad Deputies Louise O'Reilly and Kelleher raised the general issue of paediatric palliative care. They are correct. While I stated we are coming from a low base for palliative care, we are coming from an even lower one for palliative paediatric care. There is such a significant difference. When a child dies it is something that is unnatural and traumatic and has a major impact on the whole family, and a whole community. How we respond to that as a society is important. Progress has been made and I will outline some of it.

In 2009, long before the Government or its predecessor was in office, in fairness to previous Governments, Palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions in Ireland - A National Policy, was published. Arising from that policy, the HSE established the Children's Palliative Care Programme. I must acknowledge that this was co-funded by the Irish Hospice Foundation. The programme at that time provided for the appointment of a consultant paediatrician with a special interest in children's palliative care and eight children's outreach nurses to co-ordinate care for children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Eight were welcome - it was starting from zero - but were clearly not enough to cover the country, as Deputy Louise O'Reilly references.

I launched, on 21 November, an independent evaluation of the Children's Palliative Care Programme. It was undertaken by specialists from the UK. It recommended that additional children's outreach nurses be hired and that a second consultant be appointed. A further two children's outreach nurses are now being recruited as part of budget 2017. We have also agreed to the appointment of a second children's palliative care consultant post, which will be funded by the Irish Hospice Foundation for the first year - subsequently, the funding will be taken over by the health service. I should also point out that there is now a new masters programme in palliative care training for paediatric nurses running between the National University of Ireland Galway and UCD because we need to ensure we continue to provide a skill set for our paediatric nurses.

I extend my sympathy to Aisling on the loss of her son, Órán. I met the group, Our Children's Voice, with some of the Deputy Louise O'Reilly's colleagues and colleagues from all parties when I visited Letterkenny relatively recently. One of those two children's outreach nurses is for Donegal. I do not have the note in front of me but from memory, I am almost certain that post is currently advertised. I will contact the Deputy if I am wrong on that.