Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Offaly, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputies Lahart, O'Callaghan and Curran for raising this important issue. It is the intention of the Government that people will be provided with the palliative care services they need regardless of their diagnosis, age or whether they die in a hospice, acute hospital, nursing home or at home. Significant progress has been made in recent years to improve access to specialist palliative care services. Currently, 93% of people receive specialist palliative care services within the community within seven days of referral while 96% have access to a specialist bed within seven days.

Specialist palliative care is now provided in 11 locations countrywide and the number of specialist palliative care beds will reach 217 once all 15 beds in Kerry Hospice are open.

The successful development of palliative care service in Ireland has been based on a long-standing tradition of positive engagement between the voluntary and statutory sectors. Organisations such as Our Lady's Hospice have played a vital role in this work by collaborating with the HSE in a very positive way on a range of fronts to strengthen the provision of palliative care. Those who have experienced hospice care personally or for a family member almost invariably describe it as one of the bright spots in what can be a very difficult stage of life.

On a personal note, and no more than many in this House who have experienced the type of palliative care that can be provided across the country, I know very special people work in the service. They prepare those of us who will live on and those who are dying for death. It is something we need to do a little bit better in our society.

In late 2015, Our Lady's Hospice embarked on a redevelopment of its palliative care unit in Harold's Cross to provide single rooms to ensure the dignity and privacy of patients and their families. The rooms will be built in clusters of six around a courtyard and will be designed to allow family visits and overnight stays.

In addition, the current palliative care area will be refurbished to house the day hospice and community palliative care team. The total cost of the redevelopment will be around €20 million and the hospice has now suggested that the HSE provides a contribution of just under €5 million to fund the redevelopment.

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