Máire Hoctor (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail)

I reiterate that I am taking this Adjournment matter on behalf my colleague, Deputy Mary Harney, Minister for Health and Children. I thank Deputy Shatter for raising the issue as it provides me with the opportunity to reaffirm the Government's commitment to services for older people generally, and in particular to the important area of developing day and respite care.

Government policy is to support people to live in dignity and independence in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. Where this is not feasible, the health service supports access to quality long-term residential care where appropriate. This policy approach is renewed and developed in the latest partnership agreement, Towards 2016.

The Government's objective of continued development of community-based services for older persons is reflected in the funding given to the system in recent times. In the 2006 and 2007 budgets, more than €400 million was provided to enhance service developments across the sector, of which just over €190 million was for community-based services over the two years.

The 2008 budget provided an additional €135 million, bringing the total spend over the last three years to €540 million, including €22 million for the development of community services for older people. These measures have been designed to both enhance existing services put in place by the Government and also widen the range of services available to older people.

In this context, more than €16 million has been provided in the past three years for new day and respite care services. The recent budget will allow an additional 1,245 clients nationally to avail of new respite places and brings the total projected day-care provision to approximately 21,300 places by the end of this year.

As the Deputy is aware, the Health Act 2004 provides the HSE with responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services.

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