Pat Gallagher (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

I am pleased to have the opportunity to reply on behalf of my colleague, the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney. I thank Deputy Breen for raising the issue as it provides an opportunity to outline to the House the current position with regard to the Stella Maris day care centre in Lisdoonvarna. The Health Service Executive in Clare provides an extensive range of day care services for clients. Currently, seven day centres are provided throughout the county with an average daily attendance of 240. Many of those day centres, those at Clarecastle, Kilmaley, Miltown Malbay and Stella Maris in Lisdoonvarna, are provided in partnership with voluntary organisations.

The day centre service at Regina House in Kilrush, Raheen community hospital and Ennistymon community hospital is provided directly by the Health Service Executive. A day hospital is provided at St. Joseph's Hospital in Ennis. These services enable older persons to be maintained at home and attend day services on a regular basis, depending on their needs and wishes.

The day centre at Stella Maris, Lisdoonvarna, which has been provided at the former Stella Maris nursing home, was recently opened by the Minister, Deputy Harney. This centre, which provides services two days per week, has been upgraded and refurbished at a cost of €1.88 million by the Health Service Executive. This funding was provided by the Health Service Executive, the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, which contributed CLÁR funding. Although the centre provides services on two days per week, the Health Service Executive in Clare hopes to extend these services to a full five-day service as funding becomes available. As the Deputy may be aware, €9 million was allocated to day and respite care in budget 2006.

Responsibility for the provision of health and personal social services now rests with the Health Service Executive. The HSE has advised that a proposal for additional funding for increased opening hours for the Stella Maris elderly day care centre is being considered in the context of new service developments for 2007, and a decision will be made as soon as possible.

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